THE VIOLENCE WE SEE IS ONLY PART OF THE STORY: YWCA GREATER HARRISBURG ANNUAL REPORT UNDERSCORES THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY INVESTMENT

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Week Without Violence Campaign, YWCA releases “The State of Violence in Dauphin & Perry Counties

Harrisburg, PA (October 19, 2026): The recent death of a Harrisburg pediatrician, Dr. Julia Pederson of October 10 at the hands of her husband has shaken our community and brought renewed attention to the devastating consequences of domestic violence. It is a heartbreaking reminder that violence can occur in any family, regardless of profession, education, income or public standing.

While the circumstances surrounding any individual case are unique, the broader reality cannot be ignored: domestic violence is not simply a private matter. It is a community safety issue with consequences extending far beyond the individuals directly involved.

The YWCA Greater Harrisburg’s State of Violence in Dauphin and Perry Counties report documents the scope and geographic reach of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking in our region. The data reflects real incidents and individuals who have reached out for help through the YWCA’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Services. But it does not tell the whole story.

For every person who seeks assistance, there may be others suffering in silence. Fear, threats, financial dependence, concern for children, and uncertainty about where to turn can prevent survivors from seeking help. Many incidents are never reported, and many survivors remain invisible in the data.

“What we can measure is only the violence that becomes visible,” said Mary Quinn, President and CEO of the YWCA Greater Harrisburg. “We know there are people in our community living in fear whose experiences will never appear in a report. We cannot mistake the numbers we have for the full extent of the problem. And we cannot wait until another tragedy makes the consequences impossible to ignore.”

The report is a call to recognize that responding to violence requires more than awareness. It requires a community willing to invest in the services and infrastructure that make safety possible.

When someone reaches out for help, there must be trained professionals ready to respond, safe places to turn, and resources to help survivors move toward stability. That capacity requires sustained investment in specialized staff, secure and well-maintained facilities, technology, emergency housing, and the systems that support a coordinated response. These are not optional extras. They are essential components of a community’s public safety infrastructure.

“Investing in the YWCA is an investment in the safety of our entire community,” Quinn said. “When someone is experiencing violence, there must be somewhere to go, someone prepared to respond, and a path toward safety. That capacity does not happen by accident. It requires public investment, private philanthropy, strong partnerships, and a shared understanding that these services are essential.”

The consequences of violence reach beyond individual survivors. Children and families are affected, emergency responders are called into dangerous situations, and health care and social service systems cannot bear the cost of crises. When people have nowhere to turn, the risks can extent throughout the community.

The State of Violence in Dauphin and Perry Counties report provides an opportunity for elected officials, community leaders, funders, and residents to examine the documented realities of violence in our region and consider whether the resources available are sufficient to meet the need.

The question is not simply how many incidents have been reported. It is whether we have invested adequately in the resources required to respond to the violence we know exists – and the violence that remains unseen.

A safer community requires more than awareness. It requires action, accountability, and sustained investment in the services that make safety possible.

To read the full State of Violence in Dauphin and Perry Counties report, and to learn more about the YWCA’s programs or opportunities to support this work visit, www.ywcahbg.org