There’s a purple ribbon on the front page of today’s newspaper.

It’s a reminder that October is National Domestic Violence Prevention Month, a time to take stock of the extent of the problem in our society and to note the resources available to its victims.

The numbers are startling: One in four women experience domestic violence at some point in their life, and about 40 percent of women homicide victims in this nation each year were murdered by a husband or boyfriend.

Here in Newton County, two to 10 people each day seek protection orders against their abusers, according to the Victim Witness Assistance Program for the District Attorney’s office.

The program is raising awareness of the problem through a commercial set to air Friday on Charter cable. We reported about the program and resources available to victims of domestic abuse in Friday’s newspaper. You can learn more at Covnews.com

If you’re a victim of abuse, get help, and get help now. And if you know of a friend or family member who is being abused, or suspect abuse, don’t stand by silently, and don’t be judgmental. They need you to be supportive and encourage them to get help.

You can learn more through the victim assistance workers at the district attorney’s office. Call them at (770) 784-2070.