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ALBANY, GA -- For the fifth year in a row, butterflies were released in honor of domestic violence victims.

October is national domestic abuse awareness month.

There were 81 victims of domestic abuse in Georgia in the last year alone.

Georgia went from being 12th in the nation to sixth in the nation in the number of abuse cases.

“And it's so important that as a community, we come together around these issues because everybody has the right to a life free from violence in their own homes,” says Liberty House Director Silke Deeley.

There will be a gala Friday night at 7:00 at Cafe 230 to benefit Liberty House with a live and silent auction and lots of food and music.

Tickets are $25 and the dress is casual.