Paula and I participating in Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center's 29th Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence. This year's walk will be held virtually, with the kickoff event happening on Sunday, October 4. The team at Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center is encouraging everyone to walk our Newburyport route or create another route that is meaningful to you in your community, in a safe, social distanced manner anytime during October 4th- October 18th, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I hope that you will consider supporting me with a financial donation.

The need to support survivors of domestic violence has only increased in the wake of a global pandemic — a perfect storm of factors, including increased isolation, stress from financial setbacks and economic anxiety; and a sharp increase in gun ownership; have increased risk and dangerousness for those experiencing intimate partner abuse.
Emerging data shows that since the outbreak of COVID-19, violence against women and girls, and in particular domestic violence, has intensified. According to a recent U.N. report, "COVID-19 and Ending Violence Against Women and Girls."