WomanHaven invites locals to “Be a HERO for the Cause” against domestic violence
EL CENTRO – WomanHaven invites the community to “Be a HERO for the Cause” at its second Festival Against Domestic Violence, which will be held here at the Imperial County Superior Court grounds on Saturday, October 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The “HERO” theme serves as an analogy, with superheroes like Wonder Woman, Spider-Man and Batman representing all the individuals who serve victims of domestic violence, such as law enforcement officers and government officials and the like.
“They are our heroes because they help us bring awareness (to domestic violence), and they help serve the community when they’re in dire need,” WomanHaven Executive Director Gina Vargas said. “We appreciate them.”
The event is an opportunity for the community to come out and have fun while they gain awareness in an effort to end domestic violence, Vargas said.
Resource tables will provide information about domestic violence, community agencies and activities, live entertainment, a DJ and a variety of food will be available at the event.
Breaking the silence, “Speaking up”
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and still the majority of the victims from the Imperial Valley are women, even though WomanHaven noticed an increase in men reporting abuse and seeking help, Vargas pointed out in an interview with IVP.
“Because home is not safe, or they’re in an unhealthy relationship where there’s violence that is impacting them and the children,” Vargas said, “we have seen a large amount of men coming through the doors.”
Vargas also said that they have over 300 men and women coming through the doors seeking shelter from each city within Imperial County.
“Domestic violence happens every day, no matter what time and what day,” WomanHaven Outreach Specialist Christian Gamble said.
The only way to change the domestic violence scenario is to encourage victims of the issue to speak up, local experts said.
“Talking about domestic violence and bringing awareness that it does exist in our community is the only way we’re going to end domestic violence,” Vargas said. “We have to remove the silence of domestic violence because it does exist in our community.”
“When we speak up, we’re giving that person the courage and the strength also to speak up and to obtain help,” Gamble said. “Sometimes when you just stay quiet there’s no help. So giving your voice the courage and the strength to speak up is very important.”
The change starts in the community by joining hands and shedding light on the issue.
“We must be able to join forces and to know the services that are available,” Vargas said, “and to know that if you’re being emotionally abused, whether it’s financial abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse — there are services available to help you.”
WomanHaven, a center for family solutions, and has the mission to promote and provide a comprehensive response to domestic violence, stalking and human trafficking through community outreach and education, prevention, intervention, client support services, and safety and shelter services, according to WomanHaven website.
Its services include counseling, a wellness program, an emergency shelter, a housing department, a walk-in center and violence prevention which the center has provided for 45 years in the Imperial Valley community.
“Our commitment is to breaking the silence of abuse and promoting healthy relationships in our community,” Vargas said.
“For people to know whatever they’re going through, there’s always a solution,” Gamble said. “We’re always there for them and can speak up together.”
“Together we are stronger through our community,” Vargas said.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available by telephone 24/7 in English, Spanish and 200 more languages through interpretation service at (800) 799-7233. WomanHaven’s 24/7 Crisis Hotline is available at (760) 353-8530. For more information about WomanHaven, visit their website at womanhaven. org or call (760) 353-6922 from Monday to Friday from 8 p.m. to 4 p.m.