| Domestic Violence and Its Impact On Children |
- Every year, more than 3 million children witness domestic violence in their homes.
- A 2005 Michigan study found that children exposed to domestic violence at home are more likely to have health problems. This includes becoming sick more often, having frequent headaches or stomachaches, and being more tired & lethargic.
- Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults.
| Domestic Violence and Its Impact On Our Community |
• According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness among families.
• Survivors of domestic violence face high rates of depression, sleep disturbances, anxiety, flashbacks, and other emotional distress.
• Domestic violence contributes to poor health for many survivors. For example, chronic conditions like heart disease or gastrointestinal disorders can become more serious due to domestic violence.
• Domestic violence costs more than $37 billion a year in law enforcement involvement, legal work, medical and mental health treatment, and lost productivity at companies.
A Safe Place was one of thirty-two organizations who recently received grant funding from the Community Foundation for Nantucket’s 2024 Nantucket Fund. This funding will go directly to our Trauma Therapy Program where approximately 40-50 local survivors will be able to focus on processing their trauma and healing. We are grateful to the Community Foundation for Nantucket (CFN) for helping us to create a healthier and safer society one ripple at a time.
The Nantucket Fund is CFN’s unrestricted source providing grants within the local community to financially support the Island’s most critical needs and initiatives.
A Safe Place Board of Directors and staff recently began our 2024 strategic planning process with Effect Collective. This opportunity was made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation for Nantucket’s ReMain Nantucket Fund.
This process will help guide our organization into the future with a focus on providing the most effective and supportive domestic violence and sexual assault services possible within the Nantucket community.
On Saturday, September 28, Nantucket Cottage Hospital hosted their free Island Health Fair. The event offered community members health screenings, flu shots, demonstrations and more while providing information on resources within the Nantucket community. A Safe Place bilingual advocate, Tania Pereira, was on site at our informational table showcasing services and reminding the community that survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault are never alone.
A Safe Place was recently invited to the Siasconset Union Chapel’s Outreach Committee Meeting to discuss the pressing needs on island within services and what our mission entails within the community.
Learn more about the Siasconset Union Chapel’s 2024 Outreach initiatives here.
| Silent Witness Project (October 1-15) |
A Safe Place’s Silent Witness Project is a visual representation of the Massachusetts women, men and children who have been murdered by acts of domestic violence each year. Individual stories are showcased on silhouettes and placed around local island businesses as a reminder of how domestic violence affects our state specifically.
Silhouette locations:
Dan’s Pharmacy, Espresso to Go, Fairwinds, Mitchell’s Book Corner, Nantucket Athenuem, Nantucket Cottage Hospital, Nantucket Family Resource Center, Nantucket High School, Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals, Nantucket Police Department, Offshore Animal Hospital, Old South Diner, Pip & Anchor, and Wicked Island Bakery.
While this topic is difficult to talk about, it is necessary that we do.
• Isabel Alcaide (19 years old)
• Ana Maria Martinez & Sergia Acosta (Daughter & Elderly Mother/58 and 76 years old)
• Alianah Dickey (15 years old)
• Vesline Garnier (24 years old)
• Neveah/River Goddard (17 years old)
• Kaydion Dawson & Giselle Johns (Mother & Daughter/45 & 7 years old)
• Loren Marino (24 years old)
• Eileen Monaghan (48 years old)
• Sima & Dylan Pariseau (Mother & Son/56 and 27 years old)
• Sheron Trowers (56 years old)
• Aanya Vinay (25 years old)
• Brianna Welsh (25 years old)
• Zharia Wilcox-Ellis (24 years old)
• Christina Wilson (16 years old)
| DV Purple Flag Display (October 8-15) |
Located at Hyline Cruises on Straight Wharf, this collection of purple flags gives a voice to local Nantucket survivors who have been impacted by domestic violence.
These flags represent our community – our friends/family, co-workers, teachers, caregivers and neighbors.
| DV Awareness Month Shoe Project (October 11-14) |
This display, located at the top of Main Street on the steps of the Pacific National Bank, represents all victims of domestic violence who lost their life in Massachusetts this past year. Each pair of shoes stands as a life tragically lost within our state.
Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, $10,000 in donations will now be matched for The Linda Hoey Community Impact Fund!
Did you know that stalking often occurs alongside intimate partner violence?
Thank you to the Stalking Prevention, Awareness & Resource Center (SPARC) for continuing education on this important topic.
“Abusive partners can stalk their victims as a form of power and control before, during, and/or after a relationship. While all stalkers can be dangerous, on average, intimate partner stalkers pose the greatest threats to their victims and are most likely to be violent. Recognizing and responding to stalking in abusive relationships is crucial to supporting victims and survivors and holding offenders accountable.” –-Stalking Prevention, Awareness & Resource Center (SPARC)
Interested in following SPARC on social media?
Click below.
