The director of a domestic violence shelter in Natchez says she’s seeing more young women seeking solace from abusive relationships.

Donna Miller said that some of the women requesting help at Guardian Shelter are as young as 19 and 20.

The shelter serves people from 11 counties in southwestern Mississippi and several parishes in western Louisiana.

Miller says Guardian Shelter has helped about 90 women and children in the 5 1/2 months since the budget year began July 1. During the entire previous budget year, she says the shelter helped 116.

Miller says the bad economy can increase stress and make domestic violence more severe.