Domestic Violence Awareness

On behalf of the Domestic Violence Resource Center

of South County, Club Rotarians and Interactors sanded

and painted Silent Witnesses, plywood silhouettes that

represent people who have lost their lives through

Domestic Violence. The silhouettes are painted

“Danger Red”.

   On the last day of our Festival, The Silent Vigil was

   held. The Club furnished candles and distributed them

   to festival goers.  Rotarians and members of their

   families gathered at the bandstand, standing next to a

   Silent Witness. Each silhouette had an engraved

   brass plaque that bore their name. As Garrie moved

   to each of us with a microphone, we would read a

  short biography of  the person who had lost their life.

   Spectators were extremely moved, many to tears.

   The voices of the Silent Witnesses were heard. Their

   message was strong. "Stop The Violence". 

 It was suggested that The Rotary Club the club partner with Vantage Point, Inc., a group dedicated to ending interpersonal violence. Under Dr. Carty’s direction, teenagers and adults from the community had created an interpersonal violence prevention program called Love Peace. This was a 1 ½ hour, 4 week program. The Club has sponsored this program to be conducted at the Exeter Job Corps, a youth residential and career training program, many from troubled backgrounds. Led by Vantage Point counselors, the program facilitated identification of what abuse is, how we defend others and ourselves in our use of abuse, and perhaps most importantly, how to stop being abused or being abusive.   

During the Month of December, Rotary Family Month, we   

initiated the next phase of our Awareness Campaign. The five

libraries within our service area were contacted and asked to

partner with us. Working with the DVRCSC,  a book list was developed suitable for all age groups. We selected thirteen books

for each library. Topics included bullying, conflict resolution, healthy relationships, and dating and domestic violence. Work shop dates were set up, and Rotarians and members of their families went to each library to read one of the donated books. Concurrently, Julie

The Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County opened an office in Westerly, and club members volunteered to distribute “New Site” posters around our service areas of Richmond, Charlestown, Hopkinton and Exeter, and continue to replenish them.

   In February, we celebrated Rotary Family Week, by also    

    observing Teen Dating Violence Awareness Week. In   

    partnership with the DVRCSC, Julie Del Deo returned to the

    Exeter Public Library to lead parenting workshops. The

    Chariho Rotary Club sponsored  the materials that Julie and

    Garrie put together, creating a package that interested parents

    could take with them. The package focused on Teen Dating

    Violence, helping parents to identify behaviors associated with

    victims, ways in which to get help, and also calling attention to

    the Internet and it's own unique issues pertaining to dating

    violence. Julie also set up a Starlight Board, wherein 16 stars

    had been pinned to the board during the week. Additional 

    workshops are in the planning stage. The Club also purchased

    two books for each library, relevant to parenting.

On Saturday, March 29, Make a Difference Day, The Rotary Club of Chariho initiated a

Cel phone Drive on behalf of the DVRCSC. Donated cel phones are refurbished and given

to clients, enabling them to call 911 if they are in a threatening situation.

For more information pertaining to Domestic Violence Awareness, contact:

The Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County