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Domestic violence cases are up in Calhoun County.
It is the most frequently reported crime.
In West Virginia there were 13 domestic violence-related deaths during the past six weeks.
It's a startling number, even though the state ranks near the top in the nation when it comes to the number of domestic violence deaths.
One person dies every 13 days in WV in a domestic violence related death.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, according to the Domestic Violence Response Team in Grantsville.
Lori Fleagle with DART says cases are up this past year (2005-06) from 359 to 381. "There is much to be done with public education," she said, helping the abused and the abuser to get help.
The string of violence in WV started Labor Day weekend when a father shot and killed his two sons on the campus of Shepherd University and then turned the gun on himself.
A week later, a Clarksburg man used a gun to kill his wife and another woman.
Last week, a Hurricane man chased his wife into a neighbor's yard and shot her before turning the gun on himself.
Two days later, a Milton man shot his estranged wife and a male acquaintance and then himself.
Now, in Ohio County, a Wheeling man killed his wife and turned the gun on himself after police questioned where she had gone.
Domestic violence against women is the most frequently reported crime in Calhoun County, but because of built-in protection for the victims, the cases are not generally made public.
In most of the cases, charges are not brought in the court system or are dropped, often because the victim changes their mind about the problem, seeking reconciliation.
The law was changed in WV a few years ago that calls for law enforcement to bring domestic charges, despite statements by the perpetrator or victim.
During 2004-05, Calhoun's Domestic Abuse Response Team, heard nearly 400 face-to-face complaints by women and children, with most of the cases linked to drug and alcohol use.
Over 200 of the victims were receiving government aid, including food stamps, housing, or medical cards.
It is against the law for anyone to:
Hurt you.
Try to hurt you.
Force you to have sex.
Threaten you with weapons.
Harass you on the telephone.
Stalk you.
Destroy things that belong to you.
If you or someone you love is or have been abused, you can contact the Domestic Abuse Response Team 354-9254 or 1-800-794-2335. | 
