One of the fastest-growing counties in Maryland is also facing a growing problem: More women are coming forward as victims of domestic violence.
More than 30,000 women in Frederick County will be abused at some point in their life, and many will never tell.
"Approximately 80 percent of domestic violence incidents are never reported to the police," said Inga James, who runs Heartly House in Frederick.
Heartly House provides shelter to people affected by domestic violence.
"Our case load is going up,” James said. “We get about a thousand calls to our hotline a month."
According to state police, reported crimes of domestic violence are up in Frederick County from 580 in 2011 to 626 in 2012 to more than 1,300 in 2013.
James sees the higher numbers in Frederick and statewide as a positive in some ways.
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"I don't think domestic violence is happening now more than it used to happen, no,” she said. “I think victims are more willing and able to contact law enforcement and our agency."
A simple questionnaire is helping victims come forward. Police officers responding to domestic violence calls across the state ask a series of telling questions, including:
- Has he ever used a weapon against you?
- Has he threatened to kill you or your children?
Most of the women who seek shelter and safety within the walls of Heartly House have children to protect, too.
