The media reporting on events in our fair state have been busy lately with sad details of domestic violence. So far this year seven deaths, including two women from the western part of Massachusetts, resulted from domestic violence. One response was a rally by domestic violence advocates in Northampton, MA that took place this past Thursday–a first for this community. One important message to the residents is that domestic violence happens here and there is help for those suffering from abuse. Following is an article online about the work of domestic violence advocates in Northampton.
Advocates rally against domestic violence
By Cherise Leclerc – email
NORTHAMPTON, MA (WSHM) -
Survivors of domestic violence and advocates packed the lawn outside the old courthouse in Northampton on Thursday afternoon.
It was emotional for those that attended as they looked at some powerful messages.
“Voice for the voiceless” was just one of the sayings on the dozens of T-shirts on display at the event. They were created by victims, each one a powerful reminder of the abuse and violence that goes on behind closed doors to women and men across the country.
It’s inspired by the National Clothesline Project, a group of survivors against domestic violence.
Advocates are working to bring the issue to light that so many don’t even realize is there.
Safe Passage, a domestic violence center for survivors of domestic violence, answers about 2,000 calls a year.
In the first few months of this year alone, two Western Mass women were allegedly murdered at the hands of their estranged boyfriends.
Now residents and advocates are speaking up to encourage those going through domestic violence to seek help.
“My daughter and her 18-month-old baby were killed in Northampton. So ever since then I became a voice for the victims and survivors of domestic violence,” said advocate Yoko Kato.
This is Northampton’s first time holding the event inspired by the National Clothesline Project. Greenfield will hold a similar event.
Copyright WSHM 2012 (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
Most of the children are abeusd at home. by their own relative, sometimes by a parent or siblings. I have also heard cases, where the father abuses the daughter, and mother just ignores it, as it gives her free time. where will the child go for any help? children are conditioned to go to their parents for emotional support. so, the keep going to their father or mother and want to please them as that is what they are told to do. parents telling children to respect elders. Do what they tell. You have to please them in order to get recogonition/acceptance .. this is the basic reason why children do not report that they are being abeusd. in fact they don’t even know they are being abeusd. they only believe that they are still not being able to please his/her abuser. They think it is their fault and blame themselves for it. Good movie suggestion: The Woodsman . If you haven’t seen it before, it is a must-see movie.
This is cool!