JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Thanksgiving Day, Bianca Thomas was gunned down in front her family on the Westside. Police say her boyfriend pulled the trigger.
A week later, police say Kansas City Chiefs player, Jovan Belcher, shot his girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself.
Tuesday, another deadly case of domestic violence. Right now, Prince Sanders is on the run after police say he shot and killed the mother of his children inside her Riverside home.
"This isn't just about people arguing," said Gail Patin, COO of Hubbard House. "This is about people losing life because one person chooses to control and abuse somebody else."
Patin runs Hubbard House, a local organization which helps victims of domestic violence. She says stories like the ones we've been hearing lately are all too common, especially here in Jacksonville. "Where crime has gone down in other areas in Jacksonville, domestic violence, particularly aggravated assault and murder, has gone up from year to year."
Action News asked her, "What can an abuse victim do?"
She replied, "There are many options for a victim of abuse." Patin says the best thing an abuse victim can do is speak up. Tell someone what's happening. Call the police or call Hubbard House.
"We also have an emergency shelter where people can come and literally hide out from their abuser while they figure out what they want to do," she said.
She says one phone call can stop this violent cycle. And if the victim can't speak up, someone who knows them should. Because crime scenes like we've been seeing are violent reminders, silence can be deadly.
"The people that are dying are the ones who are not seeking help. So it really makes me want to urge victims of domestic violence to call us for help," said Patin.
Here are the numbers you need to know if you or someone you know is being abused.
You can call Hubbard House's 24 hour hotline at (904) 354-3114 or (800) 500-1119. And for more information you can visit
Hubbard House's website.
