Those of us who have not suffered physical or mental abuse at the hands of a partner or someone else we love, sometimes can’t understand why those who do continue in such a harmful relationship.

The point is, because we haven’t been through the same experience, we truly can’t understand the dynamics involved.

What we can do is refrain from making judgments and work to help those involved.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. Although 85 percent of domestic violence sufferers are women, men are not immune to domestic violence.

Here in Vicksburg, residents have a number of places to turn, including the Vicksburg Police Department and the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, as well as Haven House Family Shelter.

Haven House offers a 24-hour crisis line — 601-638-0555.

Haven House offers a safe environment for domestic violence sufferers and their children. In addition to emergency shelter, the staff at Haven House helps those in abusive relationships with safety planning, court advocacy, crisis counseling and referrals.

If not for the victim, it’s important to get help for the sake of children who are involved in or witness the abuse. Studies show as many as 60 percent of children who live in homes where there is domestic violence also suffer abuse or neglect, too. Children exposed to domestic violence at home are more likely to have health problems, including frequent headaches or stomachaches or being more tired and lethargic. And, children are more likely to intervene when they witness severe violence against a parent, which can put a child at great risk for injury or death.

If you are a domestic violence victim, know that help is available. Call Haven House at 601-638-0555, or any area law enforcement agency.

Asking for help is difficult, but rarely do domestic violence situations simply get better on their own. If you won’t ask for help for yourself, please do it for your children.