It's hard for Jimmy Sikes to fathom how one human being could hurt another, but he couldn't just sit back and pretend domestic violence doesn't exist.

Jimmy Sikes, a community activist, said, “I decided I needed to do something because Teddy Roosevelt always said, ‘believe in the power of one,’ and I'm just fortunate enough to meet these nice professionals.

The professionals Sikes is talking about are representatives from the state attorney's office, Cope Inc., Walton County Sheriff's Office, Shelter House of Okaloosa County and the Department of Children and Families who have come together to help the Okaloosa Walton Domestic Violence Coordinating Council create a domestic violence shelter for Walton County.

Terri Adkison with Shelter House said, “We do need a shelter here for a variety of reasons, as far as the moms employed here; the kids are in school here.”

The closest shelters to Walton County are in Bay and Okaloosa Counties.

Brenda Porter, victim/witness counselor, said, “For them just to pick up their families and move to Okaloosa County, it's just such a hardship on them that I'd say most of them will just stay in the situation they're in.”

And officials say staying in an abusive situation is deadly. In 2005, Walton County had three domestic violence deaths.

Capt. Eddie Farris of the Walton County SO said, “And some of it is because some victims won't leave to get out of the county.”

Because of budget deficits in the legislature, the group is asking for support from the community.

Charity Parker of Cope, Inc. said, “It could be your family, your friends your co-workers. We need people to help us get property or get a shelter built. We need those resources.”

If you are interested in helping build a shelter house in Walton County you can contact Brenda Porter at 850-892-8332.