Remembering the victims of domestic violence in Pitt County
http://www.pcwomensjournal.com/articles/112/1/Remembering-the-victims-of-domestic-violence-in-Pitt-County/Page1.html
Christine Clift
Victims AdvocateSpecial Victims Unit
Greenville Police Department
By Christine Clift
Published on 10/6/2009
The Domestic Violence Awareness Walk and Vigil scheduled for Oct. 15 in Greenville is part of an overall effort to bring awareness to the problem and honor the memory of those who lost their lives during a domestic violence incident.
The Domestic Violence Awareness Walk and Vigil scheduled for Oct. 15 in Greenville is part of an overall effort to bring awareness to the problem and honor the memory of those who lost their lives during a domestic violence incident.
Christine Clift, Victim Advocate, Special Victims Unit for the Greenville Police Department, said the walk will honor the memory of the 23 victims since 2000, including children, who were murdered. "We want to let the families of these victims know they are not forgotten," she explained.
The walk is part of an ongoing Domestic Violence Awareness Program that began Sept. 28 with a fashion show and includes the Oct. 15 vigil and walk, plus other activities throughout Pitt County. The awareness program is sponsored by the Pitt County Sheriff's Department, the Greenville Police Department, The Family Violence Program, Inc. of Greenville and the Greenville, NC Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Clift said she expected a good turn out for the vigil. "We hope to have a really large group." She added they activities are not designed to compete with other National Breast Cancer Awareness events in the area, as both occur each year in October.
"Severl years ago we had a Domestic Violence walk and we decided to do it again because many people don't realize it's Domestic Violence Month," she said.
Tough economic times often trigger increases in reports of domestic violence, and the definition now includes violence or abuse not only to spouses, but to children, step-children, other family members, boyfriends and girlfriends.
The Pitt County Sherrif's website provides these safety tips for individuals concerned about their safety if they are victims, or concerned about becoming a victim, of domestic violence.
Decide now where you will go and how you will get there the next time he/she becomes violent. Do this even if you feel there will not be a next time.
Leave some money, an extra set of car and house keys, clothing, prescribed medications, sentimental valuables, and photos with a neighbor or someone whom you trust.
Keep important documents (i.e. birth certificates, social security cards, medical records, insurance policies, bank/savings account numbers, checkbooks, marriage licenses, etc.) and a list of important phone numbers at a trusted friend or neighbors home.
Develop a code word with your children, neighbor and friends that let's them know that you need to get out of the home.
If you leave, always try to take the children.
If beaten or abused, get medical attention and have pictures taken for evidence of physical abuse. Keep ripped clothing and file a police report.
Seek assistance and acquire job skills, such as, learning to type or take courses at a community college.
Contact your local battered women’s shelter and find out about laws and other resources available to you. Be prepared just in case you find yourself in a Domestic Violence crisis.
Clift said other community organizations, such as East Carolina University and Pitt County Memorial Hospital, are contributing to the awareness effort.
Christine Clift, Victim Advocate, Special Victims Unit for the Greenville Police Department, said the walk will honor the memory of the 23 victims since 2000, including children, who were murdered. "We want to let the families of these victims know they are not forgotten," she explained.
The walk is part of an ongoing Domestic Violence Awareness Program that began Sept. 28 with a fashion show and includes the Oct. 15 vigil and walk, plus other activities throughout Pitt County. The awareness program is sponsored by the Pitt County Sheriff's Department, the Greenville Police Department, The Family Violence Program, Inc. of Greenville and the Greenville, NC Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Clift said she expected a good turn out for the vigil. "We hope to have a really large group." She added they activities are not designed to compete with other National Breast Cancer Awareness events in the area, as both occur each year in October.
"Severl years ago we had a Domestic Violence walk and we decided to do it again because many people don't realize it's Domestic Violence Month," she said.
Tough economic times often trigger increases in reports of domestic violence, and the definition now includes violence or abuse not only to spouses, but to children, step-children, other family members, boyfriends and girlfriends.
The Pitt County Sherrif's website provides these safety tips for individuals concerned about their safety if they are victims, or concerned about becoming a victim, of domestic violence.
Decide now where you will go and how you will get there the next time he/she becomes violent. Do this even if you feel there will not be a next time.
Leave some money, an extra set of car and house keys, clothing, prescribed medications, sentimental valuables, and photos with a neighbor or someone whom you trust.
Keep important documents (i.e. birth certificates, social security cards, medical records, insurance policies, bank/savings account numbers, checkbooks, marriage licenses, etc.) and a list of important phone numbers at a trusted friend or neighbors home.
Develop a code word with your children, neighbor and friends that let's them know that you need to get out of the home.
If you leave, always try to take the children.
If beaten or abused, get medical attention and have pictures taken for evidence of physical abuse. Keep ripped clothing and file a police report.
Seek assistance and acquire job skills, such as, learning to type or take courses at a community college.
Contact your local battered women’s shelter and find out about laws and other resources available to you. Be prepared just in case you find yourself in a Domestic Violence crisis.
Clift said other community organizations, such as East Carolina University and Pitt County Memorial Hospital, are contributing to the awareness effort.