A Breath of Fresh Air for Violent Relationship Protection

Sometimes I know we sound like a broken record. It seems especially so when we talk about raising funds for domestic violence and dating violence prevention. But there are those caring people that are willing to give just based on the belief that it is important for each of us to brighten our corner of the earth.

This is the attitude we continually find with our friends in El Paso, TX. Whether it is a donation to help defray the cost of putting a program together or taking a message to the masses, or working to be sure the message given is acted upon, there's always a group of angels standing ready to take hold of the line and pull the ox out of the mire.

We spent a few days in El Paso this week and now have the structure in place to go forward with our new play entitled, I Have This Friend, which is, of course, our dating violence awareness musical.

Hector Serrano, Drama Coordinator, with El Paso Community College has decided to make this his 2011 spring production and hopes to present it in high schools in the El Paso area.

The Center Against Family Violence plans to work with EPCC to get needed infrastructure in place in the schools to assist teen victims and their parents end this pandemic in our country's schools!

Hopefully, this will be a model for other schools in the country to follow and will save thousands of lives, prevent drug use and keep kids in school.

Thanks to all of you wonder, caring people that make this effort possible and hopefully prevent hundreds of teens escape the trap.

The Holidays and Domestic Violence

Stress runs high during the holidays, from October through January.

Family finances are stretched to purchase gifts and travel expenses to visit family.

Excessive alcohol is consumed during the holidays, which although it does not cause abuse, it is a contributing factor to the abuse.

Abusers take advantage of the holidays to exercise additional controls over visits to family members, finances and unrealistic expectations are placed on their victims.

As arguments occur, attempt to maintain a calm demeanor, especially until you can get to a safe place. Abusers frequently use the excuse that, "the holidays just got to me" or "I was just stressed over the holidays". Victims are trying to maintain a calm front for their family and friends, and therefore, do not call the police eventhough they are in danger. Abusers know this and take advantage of their victims. If you find yourself in an an abusive situation, no matter the season, get help.