Recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October

Say NO to Domestic Violence!

Is it me or does it seem like domestic violence is getting worse? Today a co-worker told me about a tragic incident that happened yesterday involving one of her cousins. The result of the altercation left 2 people dead, one an innocent victim and the other the abuser. This is so sad and disturbing. The cycle of violence must cease. There are too many people losing their lives senselessly and there is so much heartache and pain that can be avoided.

Sometimes we have to look at the personal choices we make and see whether we are putting loved ones in danger. Abusers need help, but won't seek it. Victims sometimes feel that there is no way out or they're too embarrassed to seek assistance to escape the torture. I've witnessed too much hurt and pain resulting from domestic abuse and it is crippling. What will it take to live in peace within our own homes? How can the violence be stopped without innocent people getting hurt or killed? What can we do to avoid raising a new generation of abusers? My LORD, there is so much work to be done, but less work can be done when people seek you and find peace and comfort in your WORD!

Although we commemorate National Domestic Abuse Awareness Month in October, this is an ongoing problem throughout the year. May we be mindful and wakeup to the poison and torture this type of abuse brings. It's grip is shredding too many families and this plague must stop! Please, for God's sake, let's put an end to this epidemic.

Team Church Zumba Dance in the Fight Against Domestic Violence

Dania Mazier Tschirhart, Certified Zumba Instructor for Team Church, located in Matthews, North Carolina led Cinco de Mayo Zumba class outdoors to support the victims of domestic violence for Turning Point. Everyone wore purple in solidarity.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Team Church Zumba Supports Turning Point of Union County

PRLog (Press Release) - May 08, 2012 - 

On Saturday May 5, 2012, Team Church Zumba members gathered together to bring gently used clothing, shoes, toys, household items, jewelry, books, furniture and other assorted items to donate to Turning Point, a cause that is near and dear to their hearts. Turning Point is a mission located in Monroe, North Carolina that is committed to providing victims of domestic violence and their dependent children with safe shelter, while they learn how to break free from the oppressive grip of their abuser.

Dania Mazier Tschirhart, Certified Zumba Instructor for Team Church located in Matthews, North Carolina led Saturday’s Zumba class outdoors to lift up their voices for the voiceless victims. Donations came pouring into the parking lot drop off point one car at a time. Zumba members wore the color purple to show their solidarity to raise awareness and help end the horrors and tragedies resulting from domestic violence.

For many Team Church Zumba attendees, these vivid reminders are all too real. Victims often face guilt, fear and shame. Far too many victims succumb to this horrendous epidemic every single day. Many people ask why these victims do not simply leave. More often than not, leaving is not as simple as grabbing a few things and taking off.  Clearly, it is hard to understand what these victims are going through, unless you have walked in their shoes. Abusers often instill fear in their victims and ultimately use that fear against them. According to the Domestic Violence Resource Center, the following statistics clearly indicate that domestic violence is out of control, unacceptable and deadly. 

•   Women accounted for 85% of the victims of intimate partner violence and men accounted for approximately 15%.

•   Between 600,000 and 6 million women are victims of domestic violence each year, and between 100,000 and 6 million men are victims.

•   Women ages 20-24 are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.

•   Nearly 74% of Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence.

•   On average, more than three women and one man are murdered by their intimate partners in this country every day.

•   Among American families, 50% of the men who frequently assaulted their wives also frequently abused their children.

•   Studies suggest that between 3.3 and 10 million children witness some form of domestic violence annually.

Turning Point is working to turn our community away from domestic violence. To learn more about Turning Point, visit their website at http://www.unioncountyturningpoint.org.  The location of this shelter is not publically shared due to the safety for their clients. For more information on Team Church Zumba, join their social circle https://www.facebook.com/groups/zumbateamchurch/?ref=ts.

Photo:

http://www.prlog.org/11867946/1