Statement from Kathleen Demro, Executive Director, Safe Harbor, on Henrico Murder Resulting From Domestic Violence

June 3, 2010 ( Richmond , Virginia ) – Last weekend, Kate Johnson was murdered in Eastern Henrico County . It has been reported that she was shot multiple times by a former intimate partner. Following is a statement regarding these acts issued by Kathleen Demro, Executive Director of Safe Harbor [www.safeharborshelter.com], a non-profit agency based in Henrico County that provides counseling, advocacy, education and shelter to survivors of domestic violence.

“Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the children, other family and friends of Kate Johnson in their time of grief and loss.

Domestic violence is always present in our community.  One in four women and one in eight men in Virginia will report experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime.  In Henrico County alone, more that 6,000 domestic violence calls were received by Henrico Police resulting in approximately 1,150 arrests.  We want every person who may be involved in a violent situation to know that help is here for you and that you are not alone.

Our services are available to anyone who has been a victim of intimate partner violence, and all services are free of charge.”

About Safe Harbor
Safe Harbor staff can always be reached by calling the 24-hour crisis hotline at (804) 287-7877.

In 2009, Safe Harbor:

- answered nearly 1,000 hotline calls,

- provided over 3,200 nights of safe shelter to survivors of intimate partner violence, and

- provided over 2,400 hours of counseling and advocacy to survivors of intimate partner violence.

Safe Harbor’s mission is to save lives by providing education, advocacy, counseling and shelter to break the cycle of domestic violence.  The agency was created through the efforts of a St. Mary’s Hospital emergency room nurse who was concerned by the number of domestic abuse victims she treated.  As a result, Safe Harbor opened in April 2000 and has grown from an emergency shelter to also offering critical services such as community counseling programs for adults and children, community support groups in English and Spanish, court advocacy, and community education and outreach services.  For more information, log on to www.safeharborshelter.com or call (804) 249-9470.