Augusta, GA

Domestic violence centers see spike in trouble during holiday season

Published

1 year ago

December 11, 2024

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Domestic violence centers see spike in trouble during holiday season

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – For many, the holiday season is one filled with joy and making memories.

But for others, the holiday season brings on stress and fear as leaders see an increase in domestic violence cases.

When the phone rings at Safe Homes of Augusta, it’s not just a call for help.

It’s a call for action.

“Safe Homes is the only nonprofit domestic violence center, and we service 10 counties. And so, therefore, we see a lot of different types of calls that come in,” said Safe Homes Executive Director Aimme Hall.

Hall says hundreds of calls come directly to this line each month.

“Last year, we took over 1,900 calls. Through those calls, you know, we see a lot of different types of abuse,” said Hall.

There are calls ranging from emotional and financial abuse to physical abuse.

During the holidays, the calls get worse. Hall says they increase by 30%.

“We do get a lot of calls, but it could be, you know, not so much for shelter maybe, but just for outreach services because during those times, you know, domestic violence can worsen. Then maybe we’re getting calls for temporary protection or assistance,” she said.

But Hall says more calls don’t always mean the shelter fills up during the holidays.

“Not everybody’s ready to leave during the holidays. And we can’t, as, you know, the community, social workers, advocates, we can’t push them to leave. Because, again, they know when it’s the best, when it’s the most dangerous,” said Hall.

All charges against Dennis Perry, who spent more than 20 years in prison for a double murder...

You may not realize you or someone you love could be at risk.

But she says there are things to look out for.

“Isolation is a huge one. Of course, the emotional abuse, you know, we see a lot of that with the intimidation. If you see that your loved one is being intimidated by their partner,” said Hall.

Even though most are off for the holidays, advocates at Safe Homes are not.

They are open 365 days a year with a 24-hour emergency unmarked shelter ready to help you on the first ring.

Safe Homes of Augusta has a 24/7 crisis hotline if you or someone you know needs help.

If you need help, call 706-736-2499.

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Augusta, GA

One dead following a shooting in Richmond County

Published

8 hours ago

March 28, 2026

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One dead following a shooting in Richmond County

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Richmond County Coroner’s Office said a person has died after a shooting on Division Street Saturday afternoon.

Officials say the shooting happened at the 2100 block around 4 p.m.

The victim was shot at least one time and taken to Wellstar MCG, where he later died, the coroner’s office says.

The sheriff’s office also went to Division Street at approximately 4 p.m. in reference to the incident, deputies say.

An autopsy has been scheduled.

No further information is available at this time.

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Augusta, GA

Sandusky Ohio News | Sandusky Register

Published

20 hours ago

March 28, 2026

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Augusta, GA

Augusta’s Turpin neighborhood to get affordable homes with $1.85M federal grant

Published

1 day ago

March 27, 2026

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Augusta’s Turpin neighborhood to get affordable homes with .85M federal grant

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The historic Turpin neighborhood will soon welcome more affordable homes after Augusta Habitat for Humanity was awarded $1.85 million in federal funding this week.

The grant will fund the construction of at least 12 homes in the area.

“Habitat for Humanity applied for federal funding, and they were awarded the funding,” said District 2 Commissioner Stacy Pulliam.

Reviving a historic community

The Turpin neighborhood was once home to professionals, including educators, doctors, and lawyers.

“These big professionals that lived mostly over this way,” one resident said of the neighborhood’s history.

Pulliam described the area’s former prominence as “its grand days of glory, when it was the place.”

The project brings together city organizers and community partners through the Georgia Initiative for Community Housing, or GICH.

“We have so many partners. We have the Housing Authority on board. We have a representative from the Hub on board,” Pulliam said. “There’s so many great partners at the table that’s helping pull all of this together.”

Federal support and future plans

The project received backing from Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock.

Habitat for Humanity, with support from GICH, focused its application on Turpin Hill intentionally, as officials say the community had been needing to be addressed for years.

With Habitat for Humanity continuing to advocate for more funds, Pulliam said their motivation could lead to additional housing development in the future.

“We keep going and going and going,” she said. “Now we can do 20. Now we can do multifamily. So it’s fueling our fire to get more housing, but not just housing, to clean up the area.”

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