Celebrating Survivors
A safe place: The Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh welcomed close to 300 guests on Friday night at the J. Verno Studio, South Side, in support of the 6,500 individuals who receive help from the center each year. Partygoers, including honorary chairs Charlie and Latasha Batch, as well as emcee Tonia Caruso of WQED, enjoyed a strolling supper courtesy of Rania’s Catering, as well as musical entertainment by the Kevin Howard Band.
Flip the script: Executive director Shirl Regan, who has worked with the Center for more than 30 years, said that the conversation surrounding intimate partner violence needs to change from “Why does she stay?” to “Why does he get away with it?” “People don’t realize that the most dangerous time for a victim is when they try to leave,” she said.
Moving forward: Jennifer (not her real name) spoke about her own experience with intimate partner violence. “Women stay in abusive relationships for many reasons. We are scared for our children and our pets. We may not have financial means to leave. When I left my husband, he took me to court to try and get my children from me because I didn’t have the ability to provide the lifestyle for our kids that he did.” What needs to change in the system? “Police, judges, detectives, legal advocates ... they need ongoing education to truly learn what we are going through and be empathic toward the victim. My husband lost nothing. I have lost everything. Is that fair?”