Skip to main content

What if?


As I reflect on 2016 and the New Year lying before us - my mind can't help but wander.  Looking back over another year, I dream about all the "what ifs?"  I thought I'd take a moment to share some of those "What If" thoughts-
 
  • What if our community really and truly did not tolerate domestic violence in any shape or form?
  • What if those who commit the crime of domestic violence are punished to the fullest extent of the law?
  • What if we our community is really able to take notice at the significant amount of increases in domestic violence cases that are taken to trial?
  • What if victims could stand their ground, without fear, without retaliation, without regret as they take those courageous steps to taking back control of their own lives?
  • What if everyone felt safe to disagree with the ones they love, having no fear when they choose to agree to disagree?
  • What if our community made a determined effort to educate themselves on the facts of domestic violence?
  • What if citizens of Macon County who are called to a jury on a domestic violence case could be well prepared by understanding the dynamics that surround domestic violence victims?
  • What if children no longer have to live in fear or instability due to the abusive environment they've been raised in?
  • What if we did NOT pick up our local newspaper almost every single day and read about yet another domestic violence incident?
  • What if men, who are also at times victims of domestic violence, felt comfortable enough to approach our program requesting services without feeling shamed or embarrassed?
  • What if our local schools REQUIRED that teen dating violence/healthy relationships/bullying be taught in our schools, beginning in grade school and continuing through high school?
  • What if those who had the extra time, would step forward, and make a conscious decision to complete the required domestic violence training in order to be a program volunteer?
  • What if our program had an ample number of committed volunteers to cover any and all holidays so that staff can have that time off?
  • What if the State of IL would balance their budget B but NOT on the backs of victims?
  • What if all our key officials, especially those in power B  held perpetrators of domestic violence accountable for their behavior each and every time B and these key officials genuinely understood the full effects and cause that domestic violence has on victims? What if all clergy from all religious backgrounds came together as a whole to take a stand against domestic violence and intentionally and regularly spoke on this topic from their pulpits?



I could go on and on.   It's a New Year.  What steps will you take to take a stand against this intolerable crime of domestic violence?  Do any of the above "What Ifs" personally speak to you?  Do you want to do your part to help put an end to domestic violence OR  if you, or someone you know, needs support from an abusive relationship, please call our 24 hour hotline at 423.2238.  Help is available.

 
Teri Ducy, Program Director
Domestic Violence Program

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

You don't have to be able to Dance to do Baskets

  Growing up in the world of dance, one of my favorite things to do each year is participate in The Nutcracker Ballet. My favorite part? Giving the audience a magical Christmas experience with the perfect setting of lights, music, glittery costumes, and refined steps by ballerinas. The audience is transported to a magical land of sweets that makes even adults feel like small children in awe and wonder. Of course, that’s just what the audience sees! What they don’t see is the months and months before hand! Long rehearsals, bandage wrapped dance feet, and stage and tech crews working tirelessly so that every detail before the final show is perfected. After several years, I have started comparing the Christmas Baskets Process to that of the process for The Nutcracker Ballet. Starting months and months before, staff and volunteers work endlessly for the exhilarating distribution week to come. With that said, the magical essence of the Ballet experience cannot happen with just the prim
Post a Comment
Read more

“have you talked to a trained domestic violence advocate?"

Have you ever had a victim of domestic violence try and open-up to you about their abuse and you not know what to say or how to handle it? Have you found yourself asking a victim of domestic violence, “why do you stay?” Moultrie County Dove Office understands that without being properly trained on domestic violence and best domestic violence practices, it is hard to know what to say or do when a victim of domestic violence finally decides to open-up to you about their abuse and we want you to be better prepared. Asking a victim of domestic violence “why do you stay” can place emphasis in the wrong place and make the victim feel as if they have done something wrong. In all actuality, there are many reasons victims of domestic violence stay in and return to abusive relationships. Victims of domestic violence stay in abusive relationships for fear for their personal safety and the safety and well-being of their children. Statistics show that a victim of domestic violence is at a 75%
Post a Comment
Read more

Doing our part to make a difference.

 With so much talk everywhere on issues of violence, once again a topic discussed at the CONO (Coalition Of Neighborhood Organizations) meeting this past month in wonder of how to stop violence from happening in our community. Let’s consider narrowed down, violence begins in neighborhoods, no matter where they are. Cities including Decatur, have Stop The Violence campaigns and rallies in order to take a stand and to bring positivity and hope which is so important! But I wonder, doesn’t the remedy lay within each one of us? We must not close our eyes or turn a deaf ear, right, and when we see something, yes, we must say something, but isn’t there more? Doesn’t there need to be hands reaching out to one another in solidarity and hope with a goal in mind like the future of our family, neighborhood and ultimately our world. It begins in a neighborhood, your neighborhood and mine. So, if you don’t already have an active neighborhood group in your area, will you consider starting one? If so
Post a Comment
Read more