SPRINGFIELD, Mass. –  The Hampden County Sheriff's Office will be partnering with the YWCA of Western Massachusetts for their 25th annual Sheriff's Shuffle later this year.

What You Need To Know

  • According to the sheriff's office, individuals sentenced for domestic violence charges increased from just under 9% in 2019 to nearly 12% in 2023

  • In 2023, the YWCA received 6,516 hotline calls for domestic violence and sexual assault, with their numbers increasing about 5% annually since the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi said children who witness domestic violence in their homes are more likely to commit domestic abuse themselves when they get older

  • YWCA CEO Elizabeth Dineen said their organization has a 24/7 hotline available for victims, along with counseling services, shelter and guidance for getting a restraining order

They say one of their goals this year is to raise awareness about an increase in domestic violence in the community.

"Unfortunately, in Hampden County during the last six months, there's been some very high-profile domestic violence murders, and there's been an increase in the number of people seeking services at the YWCA, as well as people being incarnated at the Hampden County Jail because of it," said YWCA CEO Elizabeth Dineen.

According to the sheriff's office, individuals sentenced for domestic violence charges increased from just under 9% in 2019 to nearly 12% in 2023.

In 2023, the YWCA received 6,516 hotline calls for domestic violence and sexual assault, with their numbers increasing about 5% annually since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"One in five homicides are victims of domestic violence and when you look at that, it's from an intimate partner," said Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi. "These are people that are in your life."

Cocchi said too many children in the country are eyewitnesses to domestic violence abuse on a parent.

He said the consequences for young people can be far-reaching.

"They believe that that becomes the norm, and when you think that's the norm, you grow up and will start to portray those behaviors. So domestic violence will carry on," Cocchi said.

The Hampden County Sheriff's Office partnered with the YWCA for the 2022 Sheriff's Shuffle and raised $110,000.

Dineen said the organization has a 24/7 hotline available for victims along with counseling services, shelter and guidance for getting a restraining order.

"There's a lot of different things at play we also have a whole homeless team here," Dineen said. "Because if a women leaves her abuser, she has to find another place to live, so we also help them find permanent housing, usually starting with an apartment."

The Sheriff's Shuffle 5K run and 1.5 mile walk will take place on Sunday, Sep. 29 at Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke.