No one ever thinks it will happen to them.

And then it does.

Domestic abuse is talked about openly today, and one would hope that would make it go away.

But it doesn’t.

Abuse isn’t just about women any more. It includes husbands and children, infants and teens. Men and women alike now look for help when a situation changes so quickly they can’t see it coming.

Or they have come to the end of their rope.

Today the numbers continue to stagger.

If you go to the Domestic Sexual Abuse and Outreach Center — D/SAOC — website, there is no question about the need. The statistics are there.

Every 9 seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten. Domestic violence accounts for 15% of all violent crimes in the United States. The hotlines receive over 20,000 calls per day.

And 34% of the sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 12.

The annual D/SAOC cake auction is the major fundraiser for the shelter located in the Fort Dodge area. Funds raised from this event help operate the shelter which serves 20 counties in north central Iowa.

Originally the Cake Auction was an in-person event; since 2020 it has become an online fundraiser.

Without the calories.

Organizations and individuals have been donating baskets, gift certificates, appliances, and services to help support the Cake Auction. An online auction will open at 10 a.m. on March 26 and will continue until 7 p.m. on March 30.

No one has to purchase an item to help the shelter. Donations are accepted daily. Monetary donations, clothing, bedding, and a long list of items are needed to keep people safe.

The D/SAOC shelter has provided free and confidential service 24 hours a day 365 days a year. D/SAOC was formed when two organizations merged in 1992: The Family Violence Center of North Central Iowa and the Rape/Sexual Assault Victim Advocates worked together to coordinate and combine services. This program has been identified as one of the first comprehensive domestic violence and sexual assault programs in the state.

More than ever, they need our support.

Donations of items from members of the community helped the shelter create a resale store also in downtown Fort Dodge. This store provides not only items for clients who are in need of assistance, but it also provides a business that is open to the community. The Key on Central Resale Store is open five days a week and managed by one full-time employee and many volunteers.

Creating avenues for survival takes more than a few victims. They need the full community to step forward and show their support.

Trafficking, stalking and violent crimes continue to keep their phones busy.

Let’s join together to keep the online auction busy instead.

https://cakeauction2026.givesmart.com

For more information go to www.dsaoc.com, email leahg@dsaoc.com, or call 515-955-2273.

Kolleen Taylor is the community editor for the Daily Freeman-Journal.