One in four. That’s the number of  women who report domestic violence in their lifetimes. It is, objectively, too many. The hopelessness many of these

women face, not to mention the women who don’t report, is astounding. That’s where Prevail steps in.

Over the past 30 years in Hamilton County, more than 37,000 women in domestic abusesituations have been assisted by the Prevailorganization working in Noblesville to provide free services to women looking for a way out.Prevail, a non-profit organization that assists women who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and helps women find a way out of their dangerous situations.

“There is a real perception that domestic violence isn’t an issue in a community like Hamilton County,” says Chris Warren, director of community engagement for the Domestic Violence network, in a video on Prevail’s website.

While Prevail’s reach is vast and their work is undoubtedly invaluable, providing free services to women in need is no easy task. That’s where NHS Theatre and English teach Greg Richards comes in.

“The Vagina Monologues” started as an episodic play at the HERE Arts Center in New York in 1996. After that, it enjoyed several runs off-Broadway and even a television adaptation on HBO. The project, in it’s many incarnations, has left a large footprint, not just in the theatre world, but socially as well. In 1998, $100 million in proceeds from the play were donated to help end violence against women.

Richards is continuing that tradition. Richards’s own production of “The Vagina Monologues” has generated a considerable amount of proceeds, all of which he has donated to Prevail.

“One of the rules for producing [the play] is that the money you get from that play has to go to a local organization that is geared toward helping women who are victims of violence or sexual abuse. I knew about Prevail, and I thought that would be a good organization to divert that money to,” Richards said.

Prevail Executive Director Susan  Ferguson has witnessed the benefits Prevail has received as a results of Richards’s production.

“It really helps bring awareness to Prevail. A big part of our services is making sure people who need us know about us,” Ferguson said.

Richards will continue to bring awareness to Prevail during his production of “The Vagina Monologues” on Feb. 11, 12 and 13 at Logan Street Sanctuary.