The day before yesterday I was made aware of a balloon release for DV victims at our local courthouse. I had a message from a child advocate that had helped me and my children in our DV case, asking me to contact the local DV advocate as she was wanting me to speak at the balloon release. As I didn't get the message until the night before, I declined because I didn't have much time to prepare anything. After attending yesterday, I'm sorry now I didn't speak.
First of all, I have to question several things. One being why would a DV organization wait until the END of the month of awareness for DV to have this? Second, why wasn't the director of the program in attendance? And why weren't they more prepared? And why were there no flyers or anything around town to let people know about this? I suppose something is better than nothing, but come on. You would think you would want to bring attention to this at the beginning of the month for one thing. You would think you would get the word out so more people could attend and you would think you would be prepared.
The advocate started out by saying that this was a balloon release for Domestic Violence and that there were 79 balloons for the 79 DV victims, including children in the state of Oklahoma the past year. She then stated she was going to read a poem she found on the internet, which she read. They passed out the balloons while a song played and the balloons were released. Then they ate BBQ sandwiches. That was it. No statistics, no nothing else. Most of the people in attendance worked at the courthouse. ONE of the Judges, who is always at anything to do with DV, the Sheriff, several officers and women from the courthouse. Very few people outside of those from the courthouse. A great opportunity to get the attention of a Judge and law enforcement that deal with DV on a daily basis just slipped by. I suppose something is better than nothing, but come on.
I am really aggravated that the Director of the DV program couldn't take 15 min. out of her Friday to make an appearance. She's got to be the sorriest "director" of such a program I've ever seen. Yes, that's my opinion based on many years experience with this woman. I as well as several others were completely appalled at a public meeting where she outright blamed a victim for being killed. I'll save that for maybe another day as that story is very hard for me.
A few days ago, I found out this same director is also the head of some new program to find alternatives to jail time for offenders....WHAT??? This is what advocates for abuse victims have fought long and hard for!!! And now the director of a program that is supposed to be standing up for and fighting for VICTIMS OF ABUSE is trying to find ways to keep them OUT of jail??? Are you kidding me?? Needless to say I will be making some phone calls to those that she receives her funding from and a few others this coming week. I'm just stunned and several in our community are outraged at this.
If you or someone you know is being abused, please call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) Numbers for the National Domestic Violence Hotline...Anonymous & confidential help. http://www.thehotline.org/
NCADV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence) http://www.ncadv.org/
For Sarah Smith age 26 & her children Skyler Price age 4 and Joshua DeForest age 2....I've not forgotten you and never will. May you all rest in peace. No more pain sweet ones....I love you all.
Here is a youtube video I just watched... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMH0bmPx6xw So sad and tragic & happens all the time.
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I often wonder how many women and children have to be abused and murdered before the justice system does something to put an end to the epidemic of domestic violence. When do we become important? Finding alternatives to jail time certainly speaks volumes, doesn't it?
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