Several local organizations are looking to break the silence and raise awareness about domestic violence this month.

Holly Rosen, director of MSU Safe Place, said declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month to concentrate on the issue is important.

MSU Safe Place is sponsoring a video series.

“We focus on this issue all year long, but the month of October gives us the chance to expand our program,” she said.

In the “Uniform Crime Reports of the U.S.,” the FBI reported 30 percent of all female murder victims in the United States were slain by their husbands or boyfriends in 1996.

Rosen offered advice for people and their friends who might be in abusive relationships.

“The first thing is to identify that abuse is going on,” she said. “Once it has been identified, provide support to the person and know about the area resources that can really help.”

Maureen Sorbet, spokesperson for the Family Independence Agency in Lansing, emphasized awareness as the most crucial element for surviving an abusive relationship.

“It’s extremely important that people are aware of where they need to go to ensure the safety of the person being battered,” she said.

WKAR (90.5-FM) will be broadcasting a PBS documentary on domestic violence.

“It shows women who have put their lives back together after being in abusive long-term relationships,” said Cynthia Hill, promotions assistant at WKAR. “It’s an empowering program. It’s different than programs we have broadcast before.”

Hill said WKAR is participating in the program to inform those who do not know the severity of domestic violence.

“We are part of many organizations bringing this out of the shadows and into the light,” she said.