NEW GLOUCESTER – Domestic abuse impacts a quarter to a third of families nationwide, a panel of experts told New Gloucester Public Safety Committee members Thursday.

Kate Tierney, a prosecutor and assistant district attorney for Cumberland County, said domestic abuse involves current or former family or household members.

And women are abused more than men and account for 50 percent of all homicides in Maine, Jennifer Annis of Family Crisis Services of Portland said.

Annually, 14,000 Mainers use domestic violence services, including emergency housing, children’s advocacy, outreach services and elder outreach programs. Also sought out are young adult abuse prevention programs and support groups and programs for incarcerated women, along with workplace education and volunteer programs.

Victims can access a 24-hour confidential hot line at 1-866-834-4357.

Detective Sgt. Jim Estabrook of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department said enforcement is a small piece in a very large puzzle.

“Uniformed officers get involved when it’s really gone bad. We work to reduce the incident, support the victim and use the support of the District Attorney’s office with advocates,” he said.

“It all starts with a 911 call. We get information about what’s going on, what’s the nature of the abuse, is it in progress of not and the location of the incident and whether weapons are involved,” he said. Officers determine if the suspect is at the scene and a description of the house and location.

Responders can include the Sheriff’s Department, Maine State Police, game wardens, fire marshals or a nearby police department, whoever gets there first to control the situation, he said.

Once the person identified as the abuser is taken to jail, family crisis workers give help to the victim and reports are sent to the District Attorney’s office, the sergeant said.

When responding to a domestic abuse incident, there’s the risk of being killed. “It’s a highly emotionally charged situation,” Estabrook said.

“People don’t generally call for help until the eighth time of an abuse,” he said. Early intervention needs to come sooner, he added.

Assistant District Attorney Tierney said the police report provides information for prosecution by her office.

“Many victims don’t want to help us in prosecution but want the case to go away, Tierney said.

She said the 911 calls are very important to the case when you hear the fear in women’s voices and what’s happening around her. And, a third party witness is helpful, she said.

So is community education.

Bettina Voight, formerly of Rape Response Services in Penobscot County, is a community outreach educator who said she teaches children about healthy relationships and boundaries.