With Louisiana ranking third in the nation for the highest number of domestic violence cases, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a vital time for Safety Net for Abused Persons in Iberia Parish to get its message out in October.

SNAP is a local nonprofit group dedicated to helping women and children victims of domestic abuse. Started in 1983 as a “grass-roots” program, Director Carol Mumm said the organization houses a 22-bed shelter and provides help and information to victims.

“Domestic violence is a serious problem in the state and in Iberia Parish,” Mumm said. “We believe it will only change with awareness and people opening their eyes and ears to the needs of battered women and children.”

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October is a nationally designated month to recognize the ongoing problem. SNAP has multiple activities planned to honor women lost to domestic violence and to celebrate the life of the survivors, Mumm said.

“It’s also to bring about awareness to the community that it (domestic violence) be treated as the crime that it is,” she said.

So far this year, Iberia Parish has seen four women die from domestic violence-related deaths, and nine domestic violence deaths since 2004.

This afternoon at Lowe’s, SNAP employees and other volunteers will be handing out purple ribbons, the symbol for remembering and honoring lost lives in domestic violence, Mumm said.

Florists throughout New Iberia have donated purple ribbon and helped to make huge purple bows that will adorn Main Street during October. Mumm said she and her staff members will ask businesses to hang the ribbons in remembrance.

On Oct. 16, a candlelight vigil will be held in Bouligny Plaza, with 16th Judicial District Attorney Phil Haney and Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal the guest speakers.

A domestic violence training seminar will be held Oct. 25 at the First United Methodist Church Hall free of charge. Residents should register before the event by calling 367-7627, Mumm said.

SNAP Outreach Coordinator Michelle Vital is responsible for traveling to outlying areas in the parish like Jeanerette, Delcambre, Loreauville and Erath to raise awareness and provide help and information to victims.

“This is definitely a serious cause,” Vital said. “We see so many women come through here on a daily basis that are in domestic situations. Some are coming for help and some are coming for information on how to get out of the situations.”

SNAP statistics show in 2007, it helped 577 women and more than 200 children. As of the end of August of this year, SNAP has helped more than 300 women.

“Anyone at any time can become involved with a batterer and not know it,” said Mumm. “It’s not that you choose the batterer. They can be very manipulative and don’t always show the first signs.”

Some signs to look for in domestic abuse situations are control issues, jealousy, possessiveness and a tendency to try and isolate, Mumm said. Domestic abuse does not just mean physical violence; it can also include emotional and verbal abuse like name calling and devaluing women as people.

“Those are some red flags,” Mumm said. “If these are ongoing things in a relationship, give us a call and we can give options and talk to you. There’s always the first push or the first shove, and it escalates over time.”

For more information, contact SNAP at 367-7627. Mumm said calls can be anonymous.