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Oslund said her agency works closely with local law enforcement, the medical community and the county's child protective services department.

"The police departments know how to deal with domestic abuse: call 911 if you're worried about something that's happening," she said. "What will happen is trained officers, who know what they're looking for, will show up." Oslund said that domestic abuse is not always as obvious as loud voices and thumping or crashing sounds coming from a neighbor's house.

"If you see someone with bruising or with marks - unless they're a bull rider or have some other good explanation for it - it is something to be concerned about," she said. "If you hear or see something that just doesn't feel right, talk to the person, ask them about it, or call 911 - it's better to error on the side of caution." Oslund added that victims of domestic abuse can end up Continued from 1A isolated from friends and family.

"A lot of people who are victims don't identify themselves as such because they haven't been punched or abused physically," she said. Nationally, women continue to be the segment of the population most likely to be the victims of domestic abuse.

"It crosses social, economic, race and religious lines," Oslund said. "Anyone of any age can be a victim of domestic abuse." Oslund said there are numerous reasons victims do not leave, one may be because the perpetrator has made threats.

"The victim already has experienced the violence or threats come to fruition," she said. "They believe the abuser will carry out on the threats they've heard. Then, also, the public sees the problem and asks why she (the victim) stays." Oslund said the problem with this question is that it looks at the victim's response rather than the abuser's behavior. She added that often the victim does not leave, simply because the means to leave are not available - from the victim's point of view.

"Maybe there's no money, or no car and/or no place to go," she said. "That's what they think - that there's no help. There is."

She added that sometimes religious convictions keep a victim from seeking help. Others stay simply because of the vows taken during the marriage ceremony. Oslund said she is seeing more and more pastors, ministers and priests saying, "For better or worse, but Ôworse' is not a relationship like this."

Oslund said she has some clients who would leave, if they could drive away. To that end, Randy and Cathy Lucyk, owners of Midas in Kalkaska are working to eliminate that problem. They have asked the community to donate cars and Midas will fix the cars and donate them to victims.

"Randy and his wife took on this large project, they have really stepped up to the plate," Oslund said.

She also is grateful to Kalkaska County for providing such a convenient place for her office.

"The county was really generous," she said. They are an amazing partner. The County made it much easier for people needing help to find us."

Oslund said she has seen a huge increase in walk-ins at her office, which is located just across the hall from the Kalkaska County Prosecutor's office.

For more information or help, contact Oslund at 231-258-4691, or call 800-554-4972 the WRC's 24 hour hotline.

If you are concerned about a child, call Kalkaska County Child Protective Services at 231- 258-1200.