CURRENT NEWSLETTER
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October - Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was launched nationwide in October 1987 to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues and raising awareness for those issues. Over the past 30+ years, much progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors, to hold abusers accountable, and to create and update legislation to further those goals.
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Clothesline Project
Throughout the month, RAVE is conducting awareness activities around the topic of domestic violence. One important campaign is the Clothesline Project. This campaign began as a vehicle for women affected by violence to express their emotions by decorating a t-shirt. The shirt is then hung on a clothesline to be viewed by others as testimony to the problem of violence against women. Our Clothesline Project displayed in the Montcalm courthouse displays shared messages of impact, hope, courage, and strength. |
Message From Our Domestic Violence Counselor
Why doesn’t she just leave? I’ve heard this question many times over the years, and though I often feel discouraged that we’re still asking this question, I choose to view this as an opportunity. An opportunity to explain the many obstacles that victims face when leaving their abusive partner, to share the struggles with resources that we face in a small rural community, to explain why leaving is never as easy as it seems, and why it may not always feel or be safe to leave.
I ask why doesn’t the abuser stop abusing the victim? Why are we placing the responsibility on the victim to make the changes? Why are we blaming the victim for the abuser’s behavior? When will this change?
Abusive relationships are undoubtedly complicated. Leaving is rarely as simple as just walking away, no questions asked, and starting over with a happily ever after. It takes time and energy to rebuild and regain safety and security. Our message to survivors of domestic violence is this: You are not alone. We are here for you and will be through every step possible. You will be challenged, grieve, and face adversity, but you can move through this experience and find yourself on the other side feeling healthy, strong, and independent. As we lead into this Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we hope that you will consider reaching out. Whether to gain support, gather information, begin counseling, or make the tough decision to leave, we’re here for you.
Why doesn’t she just leave? I’ve heard this question many times over the years, and though I often feel discouraged that we’re still asking this question, I choose to view this as an opportunity. An opportunity to explain the many obstacles that victims face when leaving their abusive partner, to share the struggles with resources that we face in a small rural community, to explain why leaving is never as easy as it seems, and why it may not always feel or be safe to leave.
I ask why doesn’t the abuser stop abusing the victim? Why are we placing the responsibility on the victim to make the changes? Why are we blaming the victim for the abuser’s behavior? When will this change?
Abusive relationships are undoubtedly complicated. Leaving is rarely as simple as just walking away, no questions asked, and starting over with a happily ever after. It takes time and energy to rebuild and regain safety and security. Our message to survivors of domestic violence is this: You are not alone. We are here for you and will be through every step possible. You will be challenged, grieve, and face adversity, but you can move through this experience and find yourself on the other side feeling healthy, strong, and independent. As we lead into this Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we hope that you will consider reaching out. Whether to gain support, gather information, begin counseling, or make the tough decision to leave, we’re here for you.
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Believing Survivors, Ending Statistics
To raise awareness about domestic violence, RAVE I/M advocates participate in an annual photoshoot with facts & statistics about DV. Our goal with this photoshoot is to show the realities of domestic violence and spread awareness to one day end it. On social media we show some of the faces of RAVE I/M that work tirelessly to provide support services to our community, including but not limited to; domestic violence counseling, sexual assault therapy, children’s counseling, safety planning, legal advocacy, emergency response team, resources and referrals, and a 24/7 shelter and crisis line. |
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Our Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator and Youth Advocate both shared resources to high school students at the Montcalm Area Career Center on October 9th. Our advocates assisted the students with their projects as they created posters with RAVE's crisis hotline number, our services, and words of encouragement.
Students also took part in a safety planning activity. Advocates provided a real-life scenario for the students to read over and create a plan for the survivor. Each student group presented their plans and advocates were able to help them with what they created. The safety planning activity gave students a glimpse into what an advocates role includes and opened their eyes to these types of situations.
Students also took part in a safety planning activity. Advocates provided a real-life scenario for the students to read over and create a plan for the survivor. Each student group presented their plans and advocates were able to help them with what they created. The safety planning activity gave students a glimpse into what an advocates role includes and opened their eyes to these types of situations.
Interesting in helping domestic and sexual violence survivors?
Join our Emergency Response Team
Emergency response advocates are specially trained to provide on-scene emergency services such as Crisis Intervention, Safety Planning, Emergency Transportation, Resources and Referrals, and Prosecution Assistance. This meeting can take place at a secure on-scene location (if assailant is arrested), at the hospital for a SANE, or at a safe location such as our office or the police station. The advocates are dispatched through law enforcement officers and are trained to provide on the scene emergency crisis intervention to victims immediately after an assault.
Our emergency response coordinator needs volunteers to help run the program. Anyone interested in volunteering can apply through the website of reach out to Donna at 616-755-0996
Join our Emergency Response Team
Emergency response advocates are specially trained to provide on-scene emergency services such as Crisis Intervention, Safety Planning, Emergency Transportation, Resources and Referrals, and Prosecution Assistance. This meeting can take place at a secure on-scene location (if assailant is arrested), at the hospital for a SANE, or at a safe location such as our office or the police station. The advocates are dispatched through law enforcement officers and are trained to provide on the scene emergency crisis intervention to victims immediately after an assault.
Our emergency response coordinator needs volunteers to help run the program. Anyone interested in volunteering can apply through the website of reach out to Donna at 616-755-0996
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