Community outreach is critical to make sure that domestic violence victims know there are people who believe their stories and stand ready to help them. Victims need to understand that they have options before they can seriously consider leaving their abuser. As county budgets have been cut back, funding for community outreach efforts have shrunk.
Working with the Ethiopian Community Center, Court Watch Montgomery developed the first domestic violence materials in Maryland in the Amharic language. Our brochure explains what domestic violence is, and that it is illegal in the U.S. It also explains the many negative impacts domestic violence can have on children.