The attempted murder of a woman and her son early last Sunday morning in their Bainbridge Island home is a horrific example of one of our culture’s more serious afflictions. Fortunately, our police department and the local office of YWCA A.L.I.V.E. (Alternative to Living In a Violent Environment) responded quickly to remove the victims from danger and place them in a safe house.

By all accounts, incidences of abusive behavior and domestic violence are on the rise in Kitsap County and nationwide as people struggle to deal with the stress of their lives. However, a lack of resources makes it difficult for nonprofits such as A.L.I.V.E. to keep up with the demand.

Barbara Saur, director of the Bainbridge-North Kitsap office, said that only 17 beds are available countywide in the shelter. That means a monthly average of 150 women and children who are domestic violence victims in the county can’t use the shelter. Some are placed in shelters in nearby counties or are helped in variety of other ways to change their living situations.

“Providing secure, confidential shelters for the victims is critical and we do the best we can,” Saur said. “But it’s an inadequate situation for the demand. We just need more beds.”

And there’s no doubt that there are many more women in need of help who don’t reach out because of fear. Saur said most victims who are abused are trying to escape from their situation but often don’t know how or whom to contact.

There are also indicators nationwide that there’s a trend toward people remaining in abusive, unsafe situations because of the economy. So what can be done? If you know of any such situations, please do what you can to get them help.