Tiffany Griffin hopes that you’ll be thinking a lot about the #1 Thing over the next several weeks. In fact, she’s hopeful that you and your family, friends, colleagues and beyond will step up to realize that your #1 Thing Can Make All the Difference.
Griffin is the Director of Marketing & Communications for The Avenue Family Network, Inc in Michigan’s Great Southwest, and she and her own colleagues will be sharply focused on the #1 Thing as we head into Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the month of October.
Domestic violence impacts millions of people each year, but it can be prevented. It requires the collective voice and power of individuals, families, institutions, and systems – each whose “one thing” adds a valuable and powerful component to transforming our communities.
That is why this October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Cora Lamping Center for Survivors of Domestic & Sexual Violence — operated by The Avenue Family Network — is asking the question, “What is the #1Thing you can do to end domestic violence?”
Salena Jonjevic is Supervisor at the Cora Lamping Center. She tells us, “Many people care and understand that domestic violence is a serious public health problem. They want to do something but believe their actions can’t make a difference.” Salena says, “It feels overwhelming. But change can start with only #1Thing. Imagine if all 155,000 individuals in Berrien County each commit to doing just #1Thing to stop domestic violence. Well we could really see some serious social transformation.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1-in-4 women and 1-in-9 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Jonjevic says, “Right here in Berrien County, the Cora Lamping Center has served 338 victims of abuse and violence in 2018 alone,” adding, “That is why we need everyone – advocates, medical professionals, educators, survivors, researchers, policy makers, law enforcement officers, business owners, students, and more, to do #1Thing to stop domestic violence here in Berrien County.
#1Thing you could do to address domestic violence:
- Be a caring and consistent adult in the life of a child…
- Talk to loved ones about violence and oppression…
- Create a culture of consent in your home…
- Use social media to raise awareness among your peers…
- Reach out to my local domestic violence program to learn how you can help…
- Listen to and validate a survivor of trauma…
- Take the #1Thing Community Pledge to end domestic violence at the link below:
- See more ideas at this link: http://ow.ly/FDXR30lYEFg
During October, everyone is invited to join the Cora Lamping Center as they mourn for those whose lives were taken by domestic violence, celebrate the tremendous progress victim advocates have made over the years, and connect with one another with a true sense of unity to end domestic violence. You’re also invited to join the community fundraiser: Fest in the Southwest – this weekend, on September 28th, from 1-to-5pm at Watermark Brewing in downtown Stevensville.
Another occasion you can be a part of is coming on October 19th – with Purple Pumpkins for DV Awareness.
Remember, it can be just #1Thing that unites individual voices while highlighting the power of collective action.
