October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

In Ohio, nearly 40% of women and 30% of men experience some form of domestic violence, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence,

What You Need To Know

  • Journey Center for Safety and Healing​ is a comprehensive domestic violence agency in Cuyahoga County

  • 38% of Ohio women and 33% of Ohio men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner rape and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes

  • The Journey Center operates the only dedicated domestic violence emergency shelter in Cuyahoga County. ​ Helpline: 216.391.4357 (HELP)

The Journey Center for Safety and Healing in Cleveland is focused on offering services that empower, educate and advocate for individuals in order to end domestic violence and child abuse. 

In an interview with Spectrum News, Journey Center CEO Melissa Graves said, "There's no typical victim and there's no typical abuser. Domestic violence is happening in every part of our communities, regardless of religion, socioeconomic status, profession, race, culture. It's happening everywhere."

"We really encourage people to educate themselves about the issue. Our website has some fabulous resources for what to look for — how to support somebody who comes to you and indicates that they are in a dangerous situation — and just understand some of the dynamics of this issue," Graves said.

The Journey Center operates the only dedicated domestic violence emergency shelter in Cuyahoga County. 

The agency partners with several community organizations, including Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., in support of its mission. The fraternity and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., recently collected supplies for the shelter, including household and baby items. 

"Omega Psi Phi has an international mandate to address issues of violence of all kinds, and to work to educate the public, increase their awareness, and ultimately, reduce and/or eliminate all acts of domestic violence in our communities," said Grover Brown, president of the fraternity's Cleveland (Zeta Omega) chapter. 

The Journey Center accepts donations and welcomes volunteers. 

Here's the organization's helpline:  216.391.4357 (HELP) ​