It's National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Vera House in Syracuse is reminding community members of what resources are available for sexual and domestic violence. They presented their 20th annual Report to the Community Wednesday. Our Allison Lazarz has details on the report and the trends Vera House has seen this past year.

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"There is hope, at the end of the dark, dark tunnel there is hope. Don't give up," said Person.

That message rang loud and clear at Vera House's 20th annual Report to the Community Wednesday. Community leaders discussed trends they've seen in violence and ways to bring sexual and domestic violence to an end. Vera House employees say in Onondaga County domestic violence homicides increased this year.

"In years past it's been 2 to 3, this year it's now up to 6. So we're being very thoughtful of that at Vera house- why is that, what issues and what things do we need to do to prevent that?" said Colleen O'Brien, the program services coordinator for Vera House, Inc.

O'Brien says, unfortunately, there's no easy answer to that question. And that is why Vera House reaches out to the community each year to remind them there are support resources available.

"If somebody gets hooked up with services earlier maybe that person may not end up a victim of homicide," said O'Brien.

The economy is often cited as a factor for the rise in violence, but O'Brien says we should be careful not to make a direct correlation between the two.

"Just because somebody's struggling because they lost their job doesn't mean they're going to be abusive. It's still a choice. However, the opportunity maybe to get into counseling or maybe to have time off from a second job to go do some intervention might not be there so the resources available for you to deal with issues that are coming up might be more difficult," said O'Brien.

Vera House has gotten more than 400 calls each month this year from people who are looking for support or information related to domestic or sexual violence.

Syracuse Police have arrested more than 1,100 domestic violence perpetrators and 110 sexual offense perpetrators this year.

If you have any questions or concerns about domestic or sexual violence you can call 24-hours a day, (315) 468-3260 for domestic abuse or (315) 422-7273 for sexual abuse.