The Mississippi Press
Two facilities assist Cosat victims of domestic violence
Sunday, October 17, 2004
By MIMI BOSARGE The Mississippi Press
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Established in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the intention was to connect battered women's advocates across the country who were working to end violence against women and their children.
Here on the Coast there are two facilities that offer assistance to women and children -- the Gulf Coast Women's Center for Nonviolence and the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Shelter.
The Gulf Coast Women's Center offers services such as in-house counseling, both individual and group, for domestic abuse and sexual assault victims. The center also provides temporary shelter for victims and their children. Another part of the services is that staff members act as advocates for victims.
"Anyone who needs our services will receive it," said Cathy Dumal, the executive director of the Women's Center.
In addition to offering temporary shelter and counseling, the center also provides an on-site nursery for children.
"Besides allowing the children to play with the toys supplied and to just be children, we also teach them that hands are not for hitting," Dumal said.
The center offers a 24/7 crisis hotline, which can be reached at (800) 800-1396.
"There is someone available anytime -- day, night, weekends and holidays," Dumal emphasizes.
The location of the women's center is a secret, however, to protect the safety of both the victims and the staff members.
"When someone needs our help, they can call the crisis line and in most cases they will be transported to the shelter by law enforcement personnel," she said.
The Salvation Army's Domestic Violence Shelter in Jackson County operates in a similar manner as does the women's center.
Its location also remains a secret for safety reasons. It, too, provides a 24/7 hotline, which can be reached at (228) 762-8267 or (800) 382-7649.
"Anyone can call at any time and we will offer assistance, either by providing shelter or by just talking to them," said Kim Cundiff, program director of the shelter. "Domestic abuse victims are first screened by telephone before being determined eligible for admittance. Then we arrange for their transportation to the shelter, either by law enforcement or by having a staff member meet them and bring them to the shelter."
Besides providing shelter for victims and children of domestic abuse, the shelter offers individual and group counseling, child care, room and board up to 90 days, assistance with clothing, personal items, personalized care management, parenting classes and life skills classes.
"We offer a 12-month follow-up program for those after they leave the shelter. Also we act as court advocates, personal advocates, and provide a support group for victims," Cundiff said.
The shelter even provides a batterer intervention counseling group for perpetrators of domestic violence.
"The women's center made a difference in my life," Sylvia said. She asked her last name not be revealed. "I was in a vulnerable state, deeply depressed and didn't feel worthy. The center helped me change my way of thinking. They made me realize that I didn't have to be that way. I didn't have to let my husband treat me the way he did."
Sylvia spent time at the center undergoing counseling and now volunteers to help other victims of domestic violence. She is grateful for the assistance she received.
"Once you change your own vulnerability, you get control of your life back," she said.
Similar sentiments are expressed by a woman who spent time at the Salvation Army's Shelter.
"I spent 28 days in the shelter and recommend their services to anyone who is seeking a domestic violence-free life," said Lisa, who also asked her last name not be revealed. "The program offered me a safe haven, gave me food and shelter and personal items to start me on a new path of no more violence."I've never felt so safe. You begin to discover you can actually make a normal happy life for yourself."
Sylvia and Lisa are just two of the success stories that both facilities have helped in turning lives around. There are many more survivor stories but even more victims who need help.
According to statistics from the National Coalition, the numbers on domestic violence are staggering:
Every nine seconds a woman is beaten by her partner.
In the United States alone, an estimated 45 million women are beaten each year by their partners.
Every five years, as many people die as a result of domestic violence as died in the entire Vietnam War.
Women who leave their batterers are at a 75 percent greater risk of being killed by their batterer than those who stay.
Only one out of 10 cases of domestic abuse is reported to the police.
And the statistics are likely much higher because domestic violence is so under-reported.
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