Detective Jason Montgomery of the Sioux Falls Police Department says South Dakota is not immune from domestic violence.

"I think our problems are the same as L.A., New York and Boston.  It's just in a smaller scope.  This October is national Domestic Violence Awareness month.  It's a time to get the word out to the abuse victims."

Montgomery urges victims to get help!

"If you talk to friends that are being abused, be patient with them.  If this is the first time they have opened up to you about the violence, these folks need your help and support in an effort to taking that giant step in getting rid of the abusers."

Unfortunately, Montgomery says the violence worsens as time progresses.

"If it happens once, it's going to happen again.  The time between the two events is going to get smaller which as you know domestic violence can get worse---leading up to death."

In the fight to end domestic violence, Montgomery and members of the Minnehaha County Family Violence Council placed purple ribbon magnets on Sioux Falls Police squad cars.

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