Adrianne's Experience

Following is an observation written by Adrianne - a Fix the Hurt intern, who is getting her Master's Degree from a college in Grenada.  She found Fix the Hurt through a relative in AZ and we connected right away.  She joined ASU interns, Julia and Allison and me at Cienega High School on April 25th, where 550 freshmen were gathered to learn about dating violence.  Many thanks to Eric Boxley at the high school.

"Today served as both an interesting and fulfilling day after going out with Fix the Hurt Organization to educate a group of high school freshman on the dangers of domestic violence in dating and marriage relationships. It was great to see the young audience get so quiet and listen intently as Linda shared her personal story of losing her precious daughter to domestic dating violence. It was a serious topic that I found the students not only taking an interest in, but routing for the King family and Tennessee. I was able to share some dating, rape, and domestic violence statistics with the crowd towards the start of the presentation. I could feel their attention and interest in each statement I made. Having 12% of the audience stand up to illustrate the amount of their age group that would experience domestic violence in dating relationship was an effective visual to allow them to gain an understanding of how common it is. When Linda discussed the events leading up to her daughter's death and the feelings that came afterward it was very emotional. The room was completely filled with students and I know many of them were enlightened and empowered by the presentation. A sign language interpreter was used in order to reach those that were hearing impaired.

Following the presentation the males left and with the group of females held back it was great to hear their questions. Many asked for advice on what to do in certain situations. This was a great opportunity to get to know the group better along with some of the personal challenges and struggles they are faced with. When time was up a smaller group stayed back to talk with Linda, many of which poured out their hearts and gratitude for her coming and discussed some very personal things; sharing a moment of deep reflection and connection that led to hugs and tears in many instances. It was very rewarding to be a part of their day and encourage healthy dating behaviors. The surveys the students turned in served as a point for a greater understanding of what the students thought as they shared their comments about the presentation. My hope is that each student was able to take something from the presentation today that will make them a better person and better their life and the lives of those around them in some fashion. If at least one person was moved or changed for the better after the visit today I know it was worth it. I know, however, that many were influenced and changed for the better; making today more than worth it"

Adrianne Prado

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.

A Trip to El Paso - Nice Break in the Routine

A trip to El Paso, Texas this past week was a good break from the routine. Linda and I were pleased to present Control.Assault.Delete to Leadership El Paso and to a number of other interested paties in a separate venue. Two shows in one day is a really exciting opportunity. I fear the hype of telling the domestic violence story to bring awareness to audiences could become addictive!

We were further blessed to spend time in the home of dear friends in El Paso and that enriched the experience. We continue to be amazed by the reaction of the people in this community. Unlike so many they are alive and vibrant and want to brighten their corner of the world. The reception to the message we presented was overwhelming. Tears flowed and one of the most asked questions is, "Having lost a daughter to domestic violence yourselves, why do you put yourselves through this?" The answer Linda gives is, "I don't want any other parents to have to go through the loss of a child."

We are pleased to have this new play in the Fix the Hurt repertoire and plan to build it to even greater and more powerful pieces At the time of this writing, a new play is being written and we hope to roll it out this fall. The title is "I Have This Friend", and we hope to deliver a dating violence message to teens and their parents through the high schools.

Another issue that creates a huge challenge in preventing domestic violence has recently raised its ugly head. Linda is a member of the Victim's Assistance Program for the City of Mesa, Arizona (VAP's). Recently, she was on a death call and while waiting for the medical examiner to arrive she asked the officers why they seldom called the VAP's on Domestic Violence calls. They responded, "because it is just a revolving door! We arrest one this time and the other the next and no matter who who we arrest the victim always goes back!"

She explained that the VAP's are trained to help the victim not have to go back. They agreed they had not thought of that aspect. Still, the calloused attitude remains because of the number of cases the police handle and the number of times the victim turns on the police.

We are looking for grant money to put together a play that will reach the police officers and enlighten them in the many ways DV can be stopped and prevented.

John

John says, "Don't corner something that you know is meaner than you!"