When it comes to domestic violence, city leaders are urging everyone to SPEAK UP

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- City leaders ask everyone to get more involved in cases where they suspect domestic violence might be happening. Those who work closest with victims say each case in unique, and it's a lot more complicated than just telling someone to get out of the relationship.

In the last 8 days, Milwaukee has had 2 double murders resulting from domestic violence.

City officials say the fact that neighbors heard domestic disputes near 39th and Clybourn but didn't tell anyone, should remind all of us that domestic violence is everyone's business.

"My message to people in relationships or people who have ended relationships is if you suspect something, you should seek out help," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

City officials say it will take the entire community to provide shelter for the victims of domestic abuse. They say the first step is telling someone when it happens.

"We've had an impact periodically on domestic violence when we can get chronic offenders and chronic victims help. This one's not on our radar screen and it is those that tend to be the most volatile because we don't know what we don't know and when one of these erupts into deadly violence, the results are tragic," said Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn.

Sojourner Family Peace Center Director, Carmen Pitre says in 2014, the Sojourner Family Peace Center served 8,500 clients. She worries Friday's horrific attack, involving an ex-boyfriend, will discourage women from leaving abusive relationships.

"I've had victims say to me, 'I would rather stay in the relationship because I know what I'm dealing with. If I leave, I have to live in constant fear of him finding me, harassing and hurting me'," said Pitre.

Because of that, Pitre says Sojourner works with each victim to form a specific plan for their situation.

"We help you look at circumstances in your life and then you get to decide what's the safest thing for you to do," said Pitre.

Milwaukee police say over the last three years, they've doubled the amount of referrals they've made to Sojourner Family Peace Center.

Visit the Sojourner Family Peace Center for more information or call 414-933-2722.

CLICK HERE to view more helpful resources for those affected by domestic violence