Women’s Center for Nonviolence Supports Awareness
Statistics show that one out of four women experience domestic violence in their lifetime, whether it be emotional or physical. That’s why the D’Iberville Businessmen’s Club had the Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Nonviolence share their mission at Wednesday’s meeting. Morrison says, "We have a domestic violence program, sexual assault program, a children’s program, and also a survivor of homicide program for those who have lost loved ones."
Domestic violence awareness has grown over the years, but the problem itself is still relevant in our community. Morrison says her 50 bed shelter is at capacity, shocking many in the audience. Holly Gibbs, Executive Director of Hands on Mississippi, says, "You kind of have to ask, ‘What’s going on in the community? You know, what is happening with family values and are things being missed?’ And the fact that they’re full, we need to reach out and help these people and the Women’s Center for Nonviolence."
Morrison says the biggest struggle is convincing the women and men who are abused not to return to their abuser. Mississippi is ranked 15th in domestic homicides. Morrison also says, "There’s a lot of reasons why they stay or they return and the biggest reason is fear, fear for their own selves, because they’re threatened. ‘If you leave, I will kill you.’ Or fear for their family members."
A new way of preventing domestic violence is educating nonviolent men on how to intervene. Morrison closes, "’Cause again, very few men do it, but a lot of men look away and let it happen, not all men, but we do know more men than not."
Morrison encouraged the business group to inform their employees about the center’s services and to wear purple on Thursdays to raise awareness during October.
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