Fact: One in four women will experience domestic abuse sometime in her life.

Fact: One in five high school students report being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.

Fact: An estimated 5 million elders are victims of financial exploitation and abuse by caretakers.

Fact: Domestic violence is on the rise on the home front...right here in Acton and Boxborough.

"Unfortunately, the number of reported incidents is up,"  Jacquelin Apsler, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN), stated recently about the dramatic increase of domestic abuse. She reported that violence is escalating at a rapid pace with increased abuse of elders by caretakers and family members, dating abuse among teens and young adults, and more sibling violence and abuse of parents by teens.

DVSN, a community-based organization, works to end domestic violence of every type in collaboration with 10 police departments including Acton and Boxborough. In 2010 DVSN serviced 629 clients within its ten member towns, up from 342 in 2008. "It is the only provider of outreach and support services to Acton and Boxborough residents who are victims of domestic violence," noted Ms. Apsler.

Click Here for the full story on DVSN