You are Invited to download the flyer participate in the 2006-2007 edition of Through My Eyes: Voices Against Violence, Voices of Hope by contributing poems, posters and essays.

SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS VOICES AGAINST VIOLENCE

The former GATHER Domestic Violence/Violence Prevention Committee is now called Southeastern Massachusetts Voices Against Violence. For recent and upcoming events, please see the SEMA-VAV website. Contact person is Annemarie Matulis, 508-922-7278. matulisannie@msn.com

Retail Project

The Retail Project reaches out to victims of domestic violence through posting critical information in the restrooms of area retail establishments. Efforts elsewhere in the country have found that restrooms provide a valuable and unique opportunity for communication with victims of abuse.

The concept of The Retail Project involves hanging a simple poster in restroom stalls and on an appropriate wall space. It contains relevant information about domestic violence which encourages victims to reach out for help. Posters include tear off phone numbers for New Hope, Inc. The first poster, "Do it for yourself", asks the following questions: Are you afraid in your own home? Do you blame yourself, even when you know its not your fault?, Do you think "maybe this time my partner will change"?, Are you feeling worthless and helpless? Relief starts with just one confidential phone call. The second poster reads, "Do it for your children", and presents the following information: A study by Massachusetts Department of Youth Services found that children from violent homes are 6x more likely to commit suicide, 24x more likely to commit a sexual offense, 54% more likely to abuse alcohol or drugs, 74% more likely to commit acts of violence. One call can change their future.

Posters were displayed in both women's and men's restrooms, for the public and employees, affixed with easily removable adhesive, in English and Spanish, with Portuguese also available.

Safe Families, Safe Pets

Safe Families, Safe Pets is a program of the Greater Attleboro, Taunton Health Education Response (GATHER). It was initially funded by the Massachusetts Violence Prevention Task Force. The goal of the program is twofold:

· To educate the community about the link between abuse of animals and humans through the distribution of brochures and community presentations.

· To remove all obstacles for adults and children who are victims of domestic violence by providing information, education, referral and support services to insure the safety of families, children and their pets. (Because of this program, battered women and children are able to escape a dangerous living situation without fear of leaving their beloved pets behind. There are now safe homes for their pets.)

Current research shows that the forces and influences that foster violence towards humans and animals spring from the same roots, and may even be prevented or treated in the same ways. Only during the last two decades have scientists, psychologists, and criminologists begun documenting this relationship. This kind of research is shaking society’s nonchalant view of animal abuse. No longer is cruelty to animals passed off as just a phase in childhood or with a “boys will be boys” attitude. Animal abuse can indicate serious maladjustment.

People who are violent to animals rarely stop there. People who abuse their pets have the potential to abuse their children. The adult who comes home and kicks the dog is probably just warming up.

The Hairdressers' Project

Hairdressers are called upon to give advice to their customers: "What color or style hair cut will look best?" The Cosmetologist may refer customers to other customers as the need or request is made, or even make recommendations at times for a realtor, insurance agent, bridal consultant, therapist, or caterer. Both professionals and customers know and appreciate the importance of referrals.

Customers share very personal information and experiences with their hairdressers. Most women see a hairdresser on a regular basis, often staying with a stylist for many years. In that time, trusting relationships are built as customers and hairdressers share stories about their families, work and view on a variety of subjects. As experienced listeners, hairdressers are interested in their customers’ wellness. Consequently, they may have contact with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and sexual harassment, and often wish they had the skills to become an information and referral source. This is why GATHER held a special workshop for cosmetologists in the 13 communities of Greater Attleboro/Taunton, in June of 2001. Refreshments and door prizes were provided to the professionals who attended the training on their day off. During the workshop, hairdressers will shared their thoughts on what their customers may need in the area of further support in their dealing with domestic violence, assault and harassment. It included interactive discussions, films, charts and handouts.

In 2002, GATHER will provide each salon in the GATHER area with baskets containing domestic violence information cards and purple domestic violence pins for their customers’ use. Refills can be ordered by calling Lorraine Rosa, 508-823-4822.GATHER also invites hairdressing academies to collaborate in creating an instructional domestic violence awareness video for distribution to local salons.

2nd Domestic Violence Training for Law Enforcement Professionals

(Insert number here) law enforcement professionals representing 5 communities attended a GATHER sponsored training on Thursday, October 26, 2000, at Goff Memorial Hall, at the Blanding Public Library, Rehoboth.

AGENDA

8:30-9:00	Registration and Continental Breakfast
9:00-9:15	Welcome and Introductions – G.A.T.H.E.R. Co-Chairs and Representative Philip Travis
9:15-10:15	Keynote Speaker – Ms. Cynthia Vincent, Assistant District Attorney, Bristol County District Attorney’s Office will present on the topic of Evidentiary Issues.
10:15-10:30	Break
10:30-11:30	Workshop 1A: The New Miranda Rights, presented by Ms. Wendy Murphy, Victims Rights Attorney Workshop 1B: Responding to the DV Call: Identifying the Dominant Aggressor, presented by Sgt. Wetherell and Officer Stainer of the Rehoboth Police Workshop 1C: Victim Issues Panel: The Cycle of Violence from three perspectives – the elderly, multicultural and same sex partners. The presenters will represent Bristol Elders Association, Office of Immigration and the Network of Battered Bisexual and Lesbian Women.
11:30-12:30	Lunch (will be provided)
12:30-1:30	Workshop 2A: The New Miranda Rights, presented by Ms. Wendy Murphy, Victims Rights Attorney Workshop 2B: Why Doesn’t She Leave? Karen’s Story, a victim’s perspective Workshop 2C: Responding to the DV Call: Identifying the Dominant Aggressor, presented by Sgt. Wetherell and Police Officer Stainer of the Rehoboth Police.
1:30-1:45	Break
1:45-3:00	Chief’s of Police Panel – Exploring the issues which arise for police departments regarding domestic violence, with speakers from Raynham, Rehoboth, Westport Police Departments and Department of Social Services.
3:00-3:30	Discussion and Evaluation.

Bullying & Harassment Prevention

The 2000 United Way of Greater Attleboro, Taunton Community Needs Assessment underscored the need for violence prevention education programs. More frequent bullying and harassment, along with youth gangs, were listed as key community concerns to community residents and social service providers. Recommendations included m ore violence prevention education within schools, anger management and behavior programs for children and youth, teachers and parents. This GATHER project goal was to remove all obstacles for adults and children who are victims of bullying and harassment by providing education and information on referral and support services. Three 1 ½ hour trainings for school faculty were provided by New Hope in three separate locations in the thirteen GATHER communities, as well as an anger management pilot program for adolescents. Fifty-two faculty members and twelve adolescents attended these offerings. Verbal feedback and engagement during the trainings indicated that the widely utilized curriculum met the needs of participants. Materials that have been purchased from this grant will be used in future workshops in the 2001-2002 school year.

This is GATHER’s 2^nd Massachusetts Violence Prevention Task Force grant award. The 1^st, received last year, was used to establish the Safe Families, Safe Pets program, which provides education about the relationship between violence against animals and violence against people. It also removes a barrier to victims of domestic violence by establishing safe shelters for their pets while the families are in shelter. (Statistics show that up to 40% of women seeking shelter at a crisis center report that concern for their pets’ welfare prevented them from seeking shelter sooner, in some cases, for more than two months.) This year’s grant, which was fully funded at $8,000, required a more broad-based focus on violence prevention.

White Ribbon Campaign

Violence against women affects us all. Violence not only hurts the victim and her family, it has an impact on the social and financial health of the community. The White Ribbon Campaign is a forum to give men of all ages a voice to speak out in a peaceful and constructive way about violence against women. This campaign asks that participants pledge to "never commit, condone, or remain silent about violence against women." Men are asked to wear a small white ribbon as a symbol of their commitment and to sign a banner that will be displayed in Bristol County.

The Campaign kickoff in Bristol County was held at three sites (Greater Attleboro/Taunton, Fall River, and New Bedford) in late September. The goal was to gather a large group of men of all ages from the community - business and religious leaders, police and fire safety officers, government and political leaders, students, as well as representatives from local social service agencies and all men interested in this issue - to attend a public rally to kick off this campaign in each community.

GATHER extended the opportunity to the school systems in its 13 communities to join this campaign. The participation of local schools has underscored the reality that violence against women is not just a women's issue. Campaign suggestions offered by schools included cafeteria distribution, classroom presentations or an assembly. The White Ribbon Campaign included men of all ages, student and faculty, who received pledge cards and plastic white ribbons. Resource cards with purple pins, signifying Domestic Violence Awareness, were included for distribution to female students and staff members.

AGENDA

Break