Why we are walking!

The past year and a half have been extraordinarily challenging for all of us in so many ways, but especially for those experiencing trauma and loss due to domestic violence in all its forms. The pandemic exposed domestic violence in new ways and raised awareness for those who are often unseen and unheard. From March 2020 through June 2021, FCR received over 2,400 calls to our 24 Hotline alone. In the last 12 months, we have found emergency housing for over 26 families fleeing domestic violence and found permanent housing for 24 additional families. In all, over 2000 people women, children and men - walked through our doors.

What is domestic violence? Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviors and tactics used by one person over another to gain power and control. Abuse may be verbal, financial, emotional, sexual and/or physical. Domestic violence crosses all sociological populations including race, gender, class, and sexuality. Domestic Violence is not a comfortable subject for most people to talk about.

Many of the statistics are overwhelming. Did you know, more than 2000 people were killed in DV related shootings reported in 2020 - a 4% increase vs. 2019 in the US? (GunViolenceArchive) We know too, that DV related incidents and homicides are under reported. Many victims of DV do not seek help for reasons including fear of retaliation from their abusers, lack of faith in the justice system, social stigma and the risk of police intervention among vulnerable groups, such as undocumented immigrants. Which makes the work of FCR even more essential.

Your support will allow FCR to be there when a mother and her baby, fleeing from a dangerous situation, show up on our back porch, as one client did this past winter. Your support will help FCR raise awareness in the community, to let people know we are there to help with wrap-around support and culturally sensitive care.

The Covid 19 pandemic may be receding, but domestic violence, tragically, is not. This October, for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we urge you to take action and join us in raising awareness and support for the many victims and survivors of domestic violence. Walk with us on October 2, 2021!