A wide variety of activities are conducted nationwide, all with a common theme – to mourn those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrate those who have survived, and connect those who work together to end violence.
Locally, the Family Violence Program held the training — “In Her Shoes” — for community agencies that have contact with domestic violence victims, including employees of the court and police officers of Cleveland and Bradley County.
“In Her Shoes” is an educational activity with different stations that depicts what a victim of family violence goes through. During the training, participants posed as domestic violence victims in order to understand the struggles a battered woman faces while trying to get help from both formal and informal resources.
The participants encounter such resources as welfare, health care providers, courts, family, and friends and must make choices along the way that affect their future.
Domestic violence is a difficult and complex issue marked by under-reporting, escalating violence, and complex and difficult financial consequences for victims.
Abusers often assert control over their victims, creating economic and emotional dependence so that victims find it difficult to break out of violent relationships.
Last year, Family Violence Program, a program run by Family Resource Agency, served more than 790 victims of sexual and domestic violence. The program provides 24-hour a day/7 days a week services to Bradley and Polk counties.
Some of the services provided include crisis counseling, public education, transportation, advocacy, and temporary housing through the Harbor Safe House.
Funding from the program is provided through state and local grants, United Way of Bradley County, and donations.
For more information regarding the Family Violence Program, please contact 479-9339, ext. 3525.
