Domestic violence is always highlighted in the month of October. And officials across the state are shining a light on the issue by finding new ways to support victims and survivors.

The state has set aside $50,000 for the Family Justice Center's Domestic Violence injury assessment program in Buffalo. 

The center has started using new a forensic camera system to identify different types of injuries, both internal and external.

"Someone with darker skin tone, lighter skin tone, a strangulation where we're not going to see those traditional marking, this allows us to say this actually happened and its not just survivors word against abusers word which sometimes can often happen," said Ava Thomas, a domestic violence survivor and operations director at the Family Justice Center.

The Family Violence Prevention Council of Broome County and Survivors are spreading the word of organizations and resources available for those in need. 

One survivor shared her story highlighting the importance of organizations like YWCA and Action for Older Persons and the need for continued change. 

"I have sat in front of law enforcement, members of the district attorney's office, other amazing attorneys and multitudes of advocates like the amazing ones here today from agencies across two different states and we have said the same thing over and over again, the same statements. I'm so frustrated. I wish it could be better, but my hands are tied because that's the way things are. But we're the ones that make things the way they are and we're the ones that can change it," domestic violence survivor Kate Mikulski said.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, help is available. Aside from organizations in your community, you can call the state's Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline at 1-800-942-6906.