Director's Monthly Message June 9, 2009
The tragic shooting of Yolanda Garvin-Williams on June 8, 2009 as she was on her way to work in Titusville is an opportunity for all of us as a community to reframe the old arguments that surround the issue of domestic violence.
First let’s remember Yolanda for the brave woman she was. She did try to move on with her life and was living away from her abuser. Working and trying to make a home, free from violence, for herself and her children.
Then let’s get serious about the fact that a restraining order is not a bullet proof vest she could don every time she left her home. It is a piece of paper. A piece of paper that is only helpful if your abuser is willing to abide by the law. My point being, it is not her fault that he killed her, and the questions that are being posed seem to look to blame her for not following through with an injunction instead of blaming him for actually getting a gun, hunting her down and shooting her to death.
The lesson in this tragedy for us as a community is to stop giving the real criminal an excuse by trying to figure out what his victim should have done differently.
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Overcoming the effects of domestic violence is a monumental task for survivors and their children. The role of the domestic violence shelter in assisting survivors to break away from this abuse is significant. Serene Harbor provides a safe and protective environment to support the survivors as they struggle to build a life for themselves and their children free from fear and violence.
While families participate in our shelter and outreach programs we provide the following services to them.
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Hotline Services
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Serene Harbor provides a 24-hour domestic violence hotline which is staffed 365 days a year by trained advocates. Information regarding injunctions for protection, safety planning, education, financial and professional services, legal aid, housing, mental health issues, medical care and children's service options are given to hotline callers.
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Emergency Shelter
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When a client meets Serene Harbor's admission criteria the client and their children are admitted to the shelter. While at the shelter, clients and their families are provided with basic needs and a full continuum of services.
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Case Management
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The Case Managers provide goal-oriented services which are intended to counteract the negative effects of domestic violence on the victim. The case managers work closely with each client, monitoring and facilitating progress toward their program goals. They also provide legal advocacy in conjunction with Legal Aid. In additions the children's advocacy staff provides supportive services intended to counteract the negative effects of domestic violence on the child victim.
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Your abuser may monitor your Internet use and may be able to view your computer activity.
If you have reason to believe that your computer is not secure, you may wish to use a computer in another location that your abuser does not have access to.
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