This year in Iowa seven women, two men, four children and one bystander were murdered in Domestic Violence incidents.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to celebrate survivors and to honor those who have died at the hands of their abusers.

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During a Chamber Coffee at the Plymouth County Courthouse Wednesday, a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month was read and signed by Plymouth County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Schneider.

Cathy Van Maanen, coordinator of the Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence (CSADV) outreach in Plymouth County, encouraged community members to come together in an effort to end domestic violence and help victims rebuild their lives.

"Healthy relationships are the backbone of a healthy vibrant community," Van Maanen said. "So when we know that when domestic violence happens in 1 of 4 homes right her in Plymouth County we know that the entire health and safety of our community is affected."

Van Maanen also said policies for handling situations of domestic abuse are needed in the work place because immediate safety and support for victims is necessary.

It's also important to teach boys in homes and at school to respect girls so they grown up to be men who help care for their family and not abuse them, Van Maanen said.

Other places in the community such as church ministers and medical professionals can also help create awareness about domestic violence by "speaking from the pulpit" and "constantly screening their patients," Van Maanen said.

The need for money to provide domestic violence education and services for victims must also be passed on to state lawmakers, who several years ago cut money from the state's budget for victim services, Van Maanen said.

"Last year nine victim service centers closed their doors for good," she said. "Iowa Congress has committed to restore the line item at $1 million. The reality is we need $4 million just to maintain services now in place in Iowa."