The death of a Patrick County woman last week is tragic, and similar deaths are far too common, according to the Southside Survivor Response Center, Inc., which works to address domestic violence in Patrick and Henry counties and the City of Martinsville.

“Unfortunately, the impact and danger of domestic violence are not fully recognized until there has been a tragic loss experienced by families and the community at large,” Warren Rodgers, Jr., executive director of the center, said.

On average, three women are killed every day at the hands of a current or former intimate partner. One in four women will be the victim of domestic violence at some point in her lifetime, according to the center, which works to help those in abusive relationships.

Generally, following the “senseless deaths, many people ask us ‘Why’d she stay,’” he said.

“My best guess is that fear is very often the reason we see that people stay in abusive relationships, threats of suicide, and threats to kill pets, family members, or loved ones are common. There’s also fear related to living independently, due to financial abuse, and … sometimes people stay for the children,” Rodgers said.

“Many times, the reasons will never be known and we are only left to guess about the motivation. All we can do is speculate” as to why, he said.

Educating those in abusive or dangerous relationships is critical because “intimate partner violence is centered in one partner maintaining power and control over another partner,” Rodgers said.

Domestic violence is “cyclical in nature and gets progressively more violent with each cycle. Following a violent act, there’s typically a period of reconciliation that is followed by a calm period until tensions build and result in another more violent act,” he said.

Throughout October, communities across the country will mourn for those whose lives were taken by domestic violence, celebrate the tremendous progress victim advocates have made over the years, and connect with one another with a true sense of unity to end domestic violence.  Be a part of helping someone transform from victim to survivor.

The center also will hold a program, “What’s Between The Pages,” on Oct. 25, at 5:30 p.m. in

Books and Crannies, which is located in Uptown Martinsville.

Authors Vivian Page, Audrena Hamlin and Monique Well will share their stories and/or books during the event.

For more information, call 403-4080 or email outreach@sssrcenter.org; or call the helpline at 1-877-WE-HELP6. The helpline is open 24 hours a day/7 days a week.