Every year the Center for Prevention of abuse floods the river with ducks, and this year is no different.

The purpose is to help raise money so the center can continue its mission of helping victims of domestic abuse.

But before the center can help the victims, they have to be identified.

That is where police, emergency workers, doctors and others come in, executive director Martha Herm said.

Herm said the center helps all victims of domestic violence.

“Dating violence is high,” she said.

The center offers free counseling for not only the victim of date rape, but also family members who may be wondering what to say or do, Herm said.

In addition, the center will help with neglected seniors (age 60 and older).

Herm said senior abuse can be physical and/or emotional abuse or defrauding them of their savings.

Most times victims of abuse are referred to the center by either the police or medical personnel.

Deputy Police Chief Don Volk said Washington police officers receive a block of training on recognizing abuse and how to respond while in the academy.

“They also receive training during their field training,” he added.

When answering a domestic call, police look for any credible evidence of violence.

In cases where there is an injury, police are mandated to make an arrest, Volk said.

Paramedics are only called if there are serious injuries or at the request of the victim, Volk said, adding they will not call emergency personnel if it is a minor bruise or red mark.

Assistant Fire Chief-EMS Jai Windish said emergency personnel receive some training when it comes to domestic abuse, but they are limited in what they can do because of privacy laws — even when dealing with victims of abuse.

Aside from treating the injuries and transporting the patient, there is not much they can do, he said.

However, Windish said if paramedics suspect any type of abuse they will say something to the hospital staff at the time of transport.

“It is a case by case matter,” Windish said, adding the symptoms tend to be subtle, especially when dealing with mental or emotional abuse.

The hospitals have more means to screen for abuse.

Paramedic Chris Tippett said they are trained to ask questions such as “Do you feel safe at home?” when they suspect abuse.

Windish said in his 10 years as a paramedic in Washington, he responded to only three domestic violence cases.

According to police records, Washington police went on 16 domestic battery calls and seven domestic violence calls.

Domestic battery usually result in an arrest, whereas domestic violence calls usually are the result of yelling, according to police.

Whenever abuse is suspected in Washington, the victim is given a referral sheet telling them of their options and the number for the Center for Prevention of Abuse, Volk said, adding that the responding officer will also explain the procedure for obtaining an order of protection.