Juneau domestic violence shelter expands services to men

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Starting next month, men will be allowed to stay at Juneau's domestic violence shelter.

The AWARE shelter plans to allow all genders to stay there starting Jan. 1, the Juneau Empire reported Tuesday.

AWARE Deputy Director Mandy O'Neal Cole said she hopes that being fully inclusive to the whole population results in more people feeling comfortable enough to seek help.

"We may not be able to meet all of their needs, but there shouldn't be anyone who's experienced harm and fear in their home who thinks, 'AWARE's not for me. It's for someone else,'" Cole said. "We want to change that and make sure everyone knows they are very welcome to seek help here.