SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) -- There have been more than 1,300 domestic violence reports in the city of Sioux Falls for 2024 so far. We spoke to area leaders in domestic violence prevention about what victims can do to protect themselves. In a story from KELOLAND News on Friday the Sioux Falls Police Department reported that so far this year there have been 1,352 reports of domestic violence. Sam Clemens with the Sioux Falls Police Department says officers typically are called more than once in these types of cases. “Very rarely when police are called to domestics, is that the first time that it’s happened. A lot of the time this happens repeatedly and there’s really a cycle that happens with that. We’re trying to break that cycle,” Clemens said. Noem wants fireworks at Mount Rushmore Director of Clinical Services for The Compass Center, Briana Halse, said a common question from the community is why doesn't that individual just leave. She said the answer is usually never that simple. "Sometimes leaving the relationship can be more dangerous for the individual than actually staying in that relationship. Finances can also be such a barrier to leave a situation," Halse said." There are also the barriers of having pets or children where they ask would it be safer to be in the home with my children rather than having a split home." Executive Director of the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault (SDNAFVSA), Krista Heeren-Graber, said safety is one of the most important things in a domestic violence situation. "For victims and survivors of domestic violence of initiate partner violence, when they decide to try and leave the relationship, that is a very dangerous time for a victim and safety planning is extremely important because its a very dangerous time and often times its when individuals are seriously harmed or killed," Heeren-Graber said. Halse said it's very important that victims set up a safety plan. To ensure they have copies of things like your birth certificate and social security card as well as considering setting up a PO box if it isn't safe for individuals to have mail sent to where they are staying, as well as having a burner or backup phone. "It's very important to look into a safety plan, there are online versions of those that can give ideas to victims that they may not have ever thought about before, but also the Compass Center accepts individuals who walk in if they want to create one of those with one of our advocates," said Halse. Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety in Sioux Falls houses people experiencing abuse, expanded just two years ago, and went from 42 beds to now a 108-bed facility. Halse said some tips to improve safety in a domestic violence situation are to always make sure your car is full of gas, as well as backing into a parking spot rather than just parking. She added if you needed to make people aware that you are leaving to use codenames or codewords, set up in advance, to let friends or family members know about your safety. Heeren-Graber said there are warning signs family, friends, and co-workers should be aware of. "They may start to notice a change in the personality of that person, they may notice that person is becoming more isolated from them and from their family and friends.,"Heeren-Graber said. "They may notice signs that that person is less able to do things on their own, it could be that they are getting constant phone calls or text messages and always has to report to the person causing harm to the family." If you or a family member is experiencing domestic violence you can call the crisis hotline at (605)-338-4880. Check here for more information about the Compass Centers or the Children’s Home Society of South Dakota