EVANSVILLE, IN (WFIE) -
Evansville Police say they're seeing near record numbers of domestic violence.
Thursday night, a public forum was held is discuss the problem health professionals are calling "a community issue."
The body of Anna Jochum was found at her apartment on Delaware Street July 12th.
On June 9th, police say 26-year-old Kathleen Goffinet was stabbed to death on north Green River Road.
On June 3rd, the body of Rachel Lomax was found in her apartment. Investigators say she was beaten.
And on May 28th, 49-year-old Latonya McNary died after police say she was stabbed on Michigan Street.
"It's just been such an escalation in recent deaths," said Ginny France with Anthem.
Thursday night, a forum on domestic violence was held at St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Representatives at the Albion Fellows Bacon Center say they had 350 more over-night stays at their facility in July, than they did the month before.
"We're here because we are seeing a great need in our community," noted Jenny Ballard with the Albion Fellows Bacon Center.
"It's right up there with traffic accidents as far as calls go, we make a lot of domestic violence calls," said EPD Detective Bill Braun.
Residents like Karin Pruitt attended the forum. Pruitt works at the Glenwood Community Healthcare Center.
"We have patients come in that we question whether they are in a situation of domestic violence and we want to understand and we want to help them," Pruitt told 14 News.
Forum organizers say you never know when a friend or co-worker will come to you for guidance.
Experts want the public to be aware there are shelters always open, offering free help.
"We'll put a mattress on the floor, we'll put a cot up, we will put them on the sofa to flee, whatever we need to do, we will do," Ballard said.
Thursday night's forum did not have a large crowd, and organizers say that's not surprising because victims generally do not like to go public.
Information on how to get confidential help, click here.
You can also call the YWCA at 812-422-1191, or the Albion Fellows Bacon Center at 812-422-5622 or 1-800-339-7752.
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Thursday night's forum did not have a large crowd, and organizers say that's not surprising because victims generally do not like to go public.
