TEAM VICTORIA 2016! 5K PHILLY 400 COMPLETE!!!

A special thank you to all the people who came out to support! Another year complete! I can not thank the Speranza Human Compassion Project, Philadelphia City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, Councilman Green, Women Against Abuse, Lutheran Settlement House, and other community organizations enough!  For bringing the Walk/Run back for Philadelphia.

I Got Flowers Today

The Philly400 Run - 2nd Annual (5k Against Domestic Violence)

LOCATION: PHILADELPHIA, PA US 19107 DIRECTIONS 
TYPE: RUN OR RUN/WALK 

Place

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park
Philadelphia, PA US 19107

Description

The 2nd Annual Philly400 Run will take place on Saturday, October 8th @ 9am.

The Philly400 Run is a 5K Walk/Run led by the Speranza Human Compassion Project, Philadelphia City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, Councilman Green, Women Against Abuse, Lutheran Settlement House, and other community organizations honoring the 400 domestic violence victims who call 9-1 for help every day here in Philadelphia.

The money raised will go to helping to strengthen our community response to domestic violence through education and victim support. 

To Register for Team Victoria, pay online and also sign the waiver 

Team Victoria

https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/RaceGroup-314630?raceId=22842

Behind Closed Doors, BBC1 - TV review: A haunting film on domestic abuse

Three women waived their right to anonymity to tell their shocking stories of violence at the hands of their partners in this important documentary 

The bare statistics are always extraordinary. One in 12 women will report a physical assault in her lifetime. Victims of domestic violence endure an average of 50 incidents before they go to the police. And 43% of those who go to the police will be a victim of another attack within a year.

But they expanded into full-blooded life last night in Behind Closed Doors (BBC1), which opened with a recording of a woman’s emergency phone call as she was being almost beaten to death by her partner. Six hours into the assault she managed to ring 999 and then throw her mobile under the bed. The police arrived seven minutes later. “You’re almost resigning yourself …” she said, breathless, again, with terror at the memory of him holding a stereo speaker above her, about to smash her head in, “to: This is it, I’m going to die … Let it be the last punch, so it stops, and I won’t feel it any more.”

Sabrina is one of the three women whose cases (handled by the Thames Valley Police domestic abuse team) the documentary-makers followed for a year, from the moment emergency calls were placed. The women waived their right to anonymity so that this film, exploring the prevalence and pattern of domestic violence and its treatment by the courts, could be made.

The second study was of Helen, who met Lawrence 10 years ago. For a short time, he was nice to her and to her five-year-old son. By the time her son was 12, he was having to run for help to stop Lawrence’s beatings. In between, there were years of assaults, promises to change, letters begging forgiveness, and endless, futile second chances given. Police photographs show the imprint of his shoe on her face from his most recent attack and she has been staying with her dad for six weeks – effectively in hiding – while Lawrence bombards her with hundreds of calls and texts a day. “Grass fucking slag I’ll kill u … I’m going to beat you inside out.” He pleads guilty to the assault and is fined £1,700.

Jemma was punched, dragged and strangled to unconsciousness by Dwayne, who would wait for her to come round each time before he started again. “He has been on the radar a long time with different women,” says one of the investigating officers, appearing hopeful that this time will be the one that sends him, at last, to jail.

This concentration on three individual cases made for a compelling and urgent programme, but it would be good to see another one (actually, I’d make it an entire season of such programmes) exploring and unpicking all the things this only had time to touch on: why women stay, the myths around domestic violence, and an explanation as to why we treat its perpetrators so gently, why we are so willing to blame victims, and … well, just why, really. Why, why, why?Condign punishment is a rare sighting. Helen jeopardises her own case by meeting up with Lawrence. Why? “He’s like a drug,” she says helplessly. Part of her is still in love with part of him, and so is part of Sabrina with part of her assailant, Paul. You can blame them and dismiss them as complicit and culpable – or you can blame the men who seek out women made vulnerable by circumstances, then break their spirits, stamp on their faces, fracture their ribs and puncture their lungs. The law, it seemed, on the face of these three cases – with Lawrence, in particular, going back and forth to court on charges of harassment and breaches of various orders with almost complete impunity – seems to err on the side of the former. The judge acknowledges that Sabrina was lucky to come out of her flat alive but hands down a sentence that means Paul will be free two months after trial. Dwayne gets seven years. Justice for Jemma, perhaps, but your thoughts lie with the other women during those years he was only “on the radar”.

On Fox, life is much simpler. This series of The Walking Dead is attempting to muddy the moral waters a little – how cold-bloodedly can Rick and the gang set out to kill Negan’s gang without becoming as corrupt as all the (living) enemies they have faced in the past? But its guiding force remains the same: to show zombies being splattered and people being caught and eaten in as many inventive ways as possible before the 45 minutes are up. It is very restful. Long may this mindless gore-filled juggernaut thunder on. The apocalypse is so much better than real life.

http://truevisiontv.com/films/details/286/behind-closed-doors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHYbUA6DS-A

Women Against Abuse is excited to announce the date and location of its 9th Annual iPledge Campaign!

The iPledge campaign will launch with a press conference to mark the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Philadelphia!

When? Friday, September 30th, noon to 1 p.m.

Where? Thomas Paine Plaza, outside the Municipal Services Building,1401 John F Kennedy Blvd. (Corner of 15th St. and JFK Blvd.)

Why? To raise awareness to intimate partner violence, and launch Domestic Violence Awareness Month! The 2016 Press Conference will focus on the intersection of domestic violence and child abuse, because there are no safe children without safe families.  

Who? We are excited to honor Dr. Sam P. Gulino, Chief Medical Examiner, for his leadership on behalf of child victims of abuse and domestic violence as Chair of the Act 33 Child Fatality Review Team. And we are thrillled to have Mayor James Kenney - who has been a critical part of our systems change advocacy work - give the opening remarks! We will also invite a survivor to share their story as a powerful reminder of the impact domestic violence has on our community and the importance of our work.  

http://www.womenagainstabuse.org/events/ipledge

Although Team Victoria has been doing the DV 5k for years this was our first time participating for this event. 

We had so much fun, raising awareness and money for Philly 400.

Thank you Speranza Human Compassion Project and Philadelphia City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson for putting together the NEW annual 5k run/walk Domestic Violence.   

Honoring the 400 domestic violence victims who call 911 every day here in Philadelphia.

The money raised is going towards the Speranza Project, which helps to fund continuing education training for first responder's who deal with domestic violence victims. 

You can read more about their work on Speranza's

http://www.speranzaproject.org/

Team Victoria was glad to take part in it and we look forward to next year!

Ipledge 2015 

Women Against Abuse 

Team Victoria was there to take the pledge!!!! 

Click the link for the Complete Ipledge Toolkit 

http://www.womenagainstabuse.org/take-action/download-toolkit

Join Team Victoria for this 1st Annual 5K October 17th 2015

iPledge 2015 October 8th LOVE PARK

October 08, 2015 at 11:59 am - Love Park, Center City Philadelphia

Join us for the launch of the 8th Annual iPledge Campaign, a citywide social awareness movement that calls on people like YOU to get involved in speaking out against domestic violence.
The campaign will launch with a press conference in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Guests will have a first look at our new iPledge Toolkit, which is filled with free downloadable resources for getting involved in the effort to end domestic violence.

We're thrilled to announce that NBC10 Meteorologist Bill Henley is returning to be our Master of Ceremonies, and we are excited to honor Dr. Arthur Evans, Commissioner of the Dept. of Behavioral Health and disability Services, for his leadership in creating a coordinated community response to domestic violence. Mayor Michael Nutter has also been invited as our keynote speaker.
Bring your old cell phones! iPledge Sponsor Verizon Wireless will be collecting used cell phones at the press conference through its HopeLine Program, which refurbishes phones for survivors of domestic violence.

   

 http://www.womenagainstabuse.org/index.php/take-action/events/2015-ipledge-press-conference

Philadelphia New 5k Run/Walk to help break the cycle of Domestic Abuse! GET READY TEAM VICTORIA!

There is a New 5k walk/run taking place in Philadelphia

THE PHILLY 400 RUN 

Saturday,  October 17,2015 - 8am | FDR Park
Presentations, DJ & Warm-Up Dance - Run/Walk
Councilman Kenyatta Johnson and Speranza Human Compassion Project

$25 Regular Registration 
$20 per person - groups of 10 or more 
 + FREE t-shirt

http://www.speranzaproject.org/events.html

Unfortunately last year, do to no fault of the participates own

 the annual 5k Run was cancelled. 

Team Victoria has been going strong and getting bigger every year. 

We come together as advocates against domestic abuse. Not only for our Loved One Victoria 

but for all who suffer at the hands of domestic abuse.   

Team Victoria is BACK! 

click here to sign up for Team Victoria 

https://runsignup.com/RaceGroups/22842?raceGroupTypeId=6806

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes Sponsored by Laurel House Working to End Domestic Violence.

MAY 2, 2015

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes

The International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault, & Gender Violence.

We invite you to join us for our 3rd Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®.

Save the Date:Saturday May 2nd

Heebner Park, 1721 Valley Forge Road, Worcester PA 19426

Click here to learn more or register today!

 http://lhwam.kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1126741

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month!

APRIL IS TIME FOR ACTION

BY: NO MORE STAFF

  03.18.15

With NO MORE Week in the rearview mirror (and what a wonderful week it was!), the team at NO MORE is already looking forward to April. Warmer weather is nice, but Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is the main event. Let’s get everyone excited about a concentrated month of activism around such a critical issue.

Military bases, community centers, churches, student groups, and other organizations across the country will host events like Take Back the Night, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, and Denim Day to raise awareness about the devastating impact of sexual assault on almost every community in this country.

SAAM has been observed to varying degrees for decades, but it was not officially designated as a national awareness month until 2001. Now in its fourteenth year, SAAM activism has been instrumental in bringing this once-hidden issue to the forefront of public discussion. We are now all too familiar with the statistics: 1 in 5 women is a survivor of rape, and 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced some form of sexual violence in their lives (CDC). In recent months, stories of sexual assault on college campuses like UVA and Columbia University, in the military, and by celebrities and professional sports players have dominated headlines. So now that awarenessabout sexual assault has reached an all-time high, what’s next for SAAM?

“When the community first started organizing, the real square one need was to communicate to people that sexual assault happens, and it happens in their communities,” says Laura Palumbo, Prevention Campaign Specialist at the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. “Over time that focus has shifted from awareness to prevention. Now we’re telling people how they can be part of the solution.”

Laura is straightforward: now that we know about the problem, let’s come together to fix it. But activating an ever-expanding base of people to be part of the solution will require huge collective effort. Despite our awareness initiatives, sexual assault still isn’t easy to talk about. For survivors, the subject can be laden with feelings of shame, guilt, and fear, and for others, it can be hard to talk about an issue that is at once so personal and so pervasive.

This April, we need to come together to convince people to be part of the solution. So how do we do that? Check out the NSVRC SAAM website for downloadable tools, suggestions and information in activating your communities and networks.

Need some ideas to get started?April 7th is the SAAM Day of Actionand a great day to kick off talking about these issues on social media. If you’re a parent, teacher or mentor, get involved with changing the culture around rape by talking to youth in your life, both boys and girls, about sexual assault and healthy relationships; not simply coaching our daughters to avoid potentially dangerous situations. If you’re attending college, it means holding universities accountable for their obligations to ensure that all students can complete their educations without fearing for their health and safety. Culture change also means supporting members of the military who speak out about sexual assault and harassment. It means creating a culture wherein all survivors feel that their voices are validated, and not scrutinized or silenced.

SAAM presents all of us with a wonderful opportunity to engage new voices, to invite people—people who may never have been a part of this movement—to join us in stopping sexual assault, rape and abuse. After all, sexual assault is not just a women’s issue and it’s not simply a survivor’s issue. It’s everyone’s issue and the solution lies in all of us.

JOIN US THIS SAAM. VISIT THE NATIONAL SEXUAL VIOLENCE RESOURCE CENTER BLOG FOR MORE IDEAS AND FIND OUT FROM YOUR STATE SEXUAL ASSAULT PROGRAMS ABOUT ACTIVITIES IN YOUR AREA.

TAGS: campus sexual assault, sexual assault, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), sexual assault resources

Rest in Peace Tara Pattani, never thought it would hit so close to home twice

Sorrowfully Our beloved friend and family member was given her purple wings Tuesday December 30th 2014

I never thought in a million years, that when I started this blog in 2009 that I would be adding another person so connected to me & us.

Getting that phone call for a second time still puts you into shock, another Mother, Sister, Daughter and friend did not survive. Your mind goes through so much, just trying to comprehend it all.

You just saw her, laughed with her or just talked to or texted them and just like that physically gone. They no longer answer that phone, they no longer text back. You no longer get to see them walking down the street laughing and talking with others. Their no longer physically there to hold you up when you need it, give you a pep talk that you may need.

Another Family and set of children who will experience a lost so deep. Losing a Parent to violence is an unfathomable pain I can't put it into words. losing that person at the hands of someone you know they loved so hard did it. Like an extra kick into your soul.

Tara, Rest In Peace, we love you and hopefully Our Victoria was their to meet you. As with my Mother I will make it my personal business to keep track of her murderer I will be there in court everyday when the trial starts to show him that Tara was loved and her life mattered.  

Private Violence,’ an HBO Documentary on Domestic Abuse

Private Violence,’ an HBO Documentary on Domestic Abuse

http://www.privateviolence.com/

Private Violence is a feature-length documentary film and audience engagement campaign that explores a simple, but deeply disturbing fact of American life: the most dangerous place for a woman in America is her own home. Every day in the US, at least four women are murdered by abusive (and often, ex) partners. The knee-jerk response is to ask: “why doesn’t she just leave?” Private Violence shatters the brutality of this logic. Through the eyes of two survivors – Deanna Walters, a mother who seeks justice for the crimes committed against her at the hands of her estranged husband, and Kit Gruelle, an advocate who seeks justice for all women – we bear witness to the complicated and complex realities of intimate partner violence. Their experiences challenge entrenched and misleading assumptions, providing a lens into a world that is largely invisible; a world we have locked behind closed doors with our silence, our laws, and our lack of understanding. Kit’s work immerses us in the lives of several other women as they attempt to leave their abusers, setting them on a collision course with institutions that continuously and systematically fail them, often blaming victims for the violence they hope to flee. The same society that encourages women to seek true love shows them no mercy when that love turns dangerous. As Deanna transforms from victim to survivor, Private Violence begins to shape powerful, new questions that hold the potential to change our society: “Why does he abuse?” “Why do we turn away?” “How do we begin to build a future without domestic violence?

Ipledge 2014 was wonderful

It was a  wonderful turn out and if you could not make it , you can still send your old phones 

Women Against Abuse recommends donating any used cell phones and cell phone accessories to the Verizon Hopeline program, which provides refurbished phones to Women Against Abuse clients and victims of domestic violence across the country. You can donate your cell phone and accessories at any Verizon Wireless location, or you can download a free mailing label and ship your phone to the Hopeline program.

http://www.womenagainstabuse.org/index.php/donate/donate-your-mobile

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence is one of the most misunderstood forms of abuse there is. ... october · trauma · relationships · blame. There's more to see... Sign up to see the rest of what's .... face online in an effort to spread awareness about domestic violence. ...of six months after he became verbally and physically abusive towards her.

2014 iPledge Press Conference

October 03, 2014 at 12:00 pm - Love Park, Center City Philadelphia

Join Women Against Abuse for the launch of the 7th Annual iPledge Campaign, a citywide social awareness movement that calls on people like YOU to get involved in speaking out against domestic violence.

The campaign will launch with a press conference to mark the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Philadelphia.

BE SAFE

Help is available! Call the citywide, 24-hour Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline (1-866-723-3014) anytime for crisis intervention, safety planning, resources and referrals. All calls are free, confidential and anonymous.

Hotline counselors can help connect you with free services in the Philadelphia area, including emergency housing, legal services, behavioral health services and more!

Bilingual counselors are available on the line for non-English speaking individuals.

About the Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline

The Philadelphia Domestic Violence Hotline is a free, city-wide point of access for crisis intervention, safety planning, resources, linkages to community services, and intake to the Women Against Abuse emergency shelter.

2014 End Domestic Violence Walk (Philadelphia Edition) Will not take place.

Unfortunately, due to situations that were completely out of the participates hands the walk was cancelled this year. Feel free to thank Senator LeAnna Washington *sarcasm*

 http://www.senatorwashington.com/

It saddens me that it will not happen this year, it would have been the 7th year. I personally found out way too late to even try to get permits etc. Like I said in my letters and email to the Mayor and other State Representatives "this Cause and Walk was and is bigger than Mrs.Washington.

However, I was invited to attend the IPLEDGE Campaign on Friday October 3rd at Love Park @ 12PM Sharp.



Bring your used cell phones! iPledge Sponsor Verizon Wireless will be collecting used cell phones at the press conference through its HopeLine Program, which refurbishes phones for survivors of domestic violence.

Please donate to Philadelphia Against Abuse under https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=waai&id=2

In Memory Of "Victoria Chandler" or maybe even your love one, every bit will help.

Give someone the gift of safety!

In the coming year, Women Against Abuse needs your support to increase services and maximize resources as we lead the struggle to end domestic violence.

Specifically, your support will increase the number of victims accessing free attorney representation through our innovative Fast-Track Attorney Program. This program, which locates staff attorneys directly in Philadelphia's two courtrooms where protection from abuse cases are heard, resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of clients served by WAA attorneys: 855 individuals received attorney assistance last year compared with 361 individuals the previous year. WAA expects more survivors to receive high-quality attorney representation as the program becomes further established in 2013.

Your contribution will also connect victims with safe and affordable housing. This coming spring, Women Against Abuse will completerehabilitation and expansion of its transitional housing program, Sojourner House. With your support, we can welcome 25% more families to the Sojourner House community upon project completion.

Your support has and will continue to play a pivotal role in increasing resources for survivors of domestic violence. Over the past three years, you amplified Women Against Abuse's advocacy efforts to highlight the growing need for increased shelter beds for victims of domestic violence. As a result, Philadelphia City Council has committed $3 million in funding toward 100 additional shelter / housing beds for victims of domestic violence. With you, Women Against Abuse will continue to advocate for increased resources for survivors, making a tangible difference on the lives of adults and children across throughout Philadelphia.

Please support the movement to end domestic violence in our community. Donate today.

Happy Birthday to Our Angel in Heaven!

August 13th 

You would have turned 52 this year ... 

Wow 52!

 I bet you would have been the youngest looking 52 year old I know lol we miss you Mom so much! 

"If Roses grow in Heaven"

If Roses grow in Heaven
Lord, please pick a bunch for me.
Place them in my Mother's arms
and tell her they're from me.

Tell her that I love her and miss her,
and when she turns to smile,
place a kiss upon her cheek
and hold her for awhile.

Because remembering her is easy,
I do it every day,
but there's an ache within my heart
that will never go away.

 Author: Kirsten Preus

TEAM VICTORIA DID WONDERFUL! WE CAN'T THANK EVERYONE ENOUGH FOR COMING OUT TO WALK IN HONOR OF OUR MOM AND RAISE MONEY FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE PHILADELPHIA AREA.

We walk in honor of this lady and many others who lost their lives and the many who are fighting to save theirs.

OUR RUNNER