Domestic Violence affects everyone:
• 1.3 million women and 834,732 men in the U.S. are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually.
• Domestic Violence costs the U.S. over $8.3 billion annually.
• Children that witness domestic violence are more likely to become involved in an abusive relationship.
The United States has come a long way over the years due to congress’s commitment to improve the response to domestic and sexual violence. In 1984 the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) began as the foundation of response for victims that included outreach programs and shelters. Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) was first authorized in 1994 and has altered the way federal, state and local entities respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking by enhancing investigation and prosecution of violent crimes perpetrated against women, increasing pre-trial detention of the accused, and imposing automatic and mandatory restitution on those convicted.
Samaritan House will be hosting several events during the month of October in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month:
“A Night of Remembrance”
Join Samaritan House in honoring those who lost their lives to domestic violence, those that survived and those that suffer. The event will feature “light the night” with purple glow sticks, special guest speakers, open mike, and silent witness display. Survivors, advocates and family members are encouraged to attend and share their personal stories. Event is free and open to the public.
Monday, October 4
6:00-8:00pm
Virginia Beach Town Center
 De-Feet Domestic Violence
5K Walk/Run
Samaritan House will host its 7th annual 5K on the Virginia Beach boardwalk to raise funds and awareness. Registration may be done on-line www.active.com for $25 per person or $20 per person for teams of 10 or more people.
Sunday, October 24
12:00pm (registration)
1:00pm (race begins)
24th St. Park at the Virginia Beach oceanfront
“Sin by Silence” and the Clothesline Project
“Sin by Silence” is a documentary which reveals the lives of extraordinary women who advocate for a future free from domestic violence behind prison walls. To help give victims a voice Samaritan House and the Contemporary Arts Center of Virginia will host a screening of “Sin by Silence” in conjunction with an exhibit, titled the Clothesline Project. Event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be available.
Tuesday, October 26
6:30-8:00pm
Contemporary Arts Center of Virginia (2200 Parks Ave. Va Beach 23451)
Prayer to End Domestic Violence
(Used during worship and to begin/end meetings in October – Domestic Violence Awareness Month).
The following reading is “Psalm,” by Julia Emily Louisa Pebbles, from Woman-Soul Flowing (1978)
We trust that beyond the absence: there is a presence.
That beyond the pain: there can be healing.
That beyond the brokenness: there can be wholeness.
That beyond the anger: there may be peace.
That beyond the hurting: there may be the word.
That through the word: there may be understanding.
That through understanding: there is love.
Everyone can prevent domestic violence from happening by raising awareness and taking action. For more information on attending an event, helping or volunteering during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, please visit www.samaritanhouseva.org or call (757) 631-0710.
| 
