Earlier this week, Tribune writer and photographer Colleen Harrison presented a three-part series on domestic violence and its effects on our community.

According to authorities, domestic violence is the No. 1 violent crime in Freeborn County.

In 2015 alone, the Albert Lea Police Department and Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office had a combined 328 calls for service related to domestic violence.

These calls took on a whole new meaning in the series as a handful of local domestic violence survivors opened up their hearts to us about their experiences. These women had gone through years of abuse from their significant others — be it emotional, verbal, physical or sexual abuse.

We applaud these women who bravely shared their stories of domestic violence from the past and how they have overcome those experiences in their lives. It took a lot of courage to put themselves out in the public eye like they did, and we hope that others in the community benefit from their honesty and attitudes of hope.

For so long, domestic violence has carried a stigma with it — that it is a private crime and that it doesn’t affect the rest of the community. The truth is far from that.

We encourage community members to support domestic violence victims, encourage them and stand by them. There are often many reasons why victims don’t simply leave their perpetrators, but there are many factors that contribute — including finances, children, jobs and finding a place to stay.

Instead of offering a critical, judging eye, offer love and support.

Let them know about the many resources available in our own community to help them, including the Freeborn County Crime Victims Crisis Center. It can be reached at 507-377-5460.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 1-800-787-3224.

Let’s end the silence.