Arkansas high on list of states with domestic violence against women (UALR Public Radio) - The Violence Policy Center in Washington analyzed homicide data from 2007, finding that Arkansas ranks fourth, behind Louisiana, Alaska, and Wyoming when it comes to women being killed by men. Gigi Peters is director of Women and Children First, a shelter that helps battered women in Little Rock. She points out that all of these states have large rural areas.

"There are not feasible alternatives for women in rural areas, nor is there education and awareness in those rural areas. So for those areas, it is not uncommon that, unfortunately, women feel like this is status quo, that they have no options."

But Amanda White who is the volunteer outreach coordinator for Saline County Safe Haven, says that mindset can be changed. She leads efforts to talk with young people about domestic violence.

"We educate the youth, and I believe once we start teaching our youngest that it's not okay - whether it be man-women, whatever, it's not okay to hit and that's not a way to react to anything, with violence, I don't think it'll change until the yougest generation gets it."

Beth Goodrich is director of the Women's Shelter in Conway and says she's not surprised at the state's unfortunate ranking.

"I'm saddened for the families of people in Arkansas who've been victims of domestic violence and I hope that this kind of survey can help everyone to be more aware and think about what goes on in their community. And maybe people should look toward their own community and see if there's a program they could assist with their time as a volunteer, or with a donation."

The annual rankings are released each year just before October, which is national Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
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