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November 1, 2007A Safe Place Gives Hope to Victims of Domestic ViolenceAn article featured in the Lake County News Sun on November 1, 2007 titled “Mom of four: ‘No one advocates for me’” tells the story of the challenges of a victim of domestic violence. Sadly, stories like this are heard every day by advocates at A Safe Place. A Safe Place is the only non-profit agency in Lake County providing comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence and their children. More injuries to women occur from domestic violence than rape, auto accidents, and muggings combined. Domestic violence affects every community and is a serious crime that is committed in all racial, ethnic, religious, and economic groups. A Safe Place believes that everyone has the right to a violence-free, safe and healthy life. When a victim is in danger and leaves her abuser, A Safe Place has an emergency shelter for the victim and her children. A Safe Place offers advocacy and counseling for both victims and child witnesses. Each year, children’s advocates and counselors at A Safe Place help hundreds of child witnesses to domestic violence deal with conflicting emotions ranging from fear and confusion to guilt and shame. It is essential that these young victims learn to deal with their strong feelings and to also learn and practice new and healthy ways of communicating and relating to others. A Safe Place believes that focusing on healthy relationships encourages a violence-free future for these children. A Safe Place has an affordable transitional living program providing housing for victims of domestic violence and their children. Some tenants have been in the process of getting their children back, which was one of the challenges discussed in “Mom of four: ‘No one advocates for me’”. Twenty one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments offer secure and independent living. Within the two-year residency period, A Safe Place encourages and assists residents to obtain skills and resources necessary in terms of education, employment, parenting, financial management and personal development. Phyllis A. DeMott, executive director, says that advocates at A Safe Place “believe and believe and believe in a woman until she can believe in herself.” |
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Everyone has the right to a violence-free, safe and healthy life. Copyright ©2001-2009 A Safe Place. All rights reserved. |
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