OF CHATHAM COUNTY
![[Phone]](imgs/phone.jpg){kind=small}
24-hour Crisis Line: 919-545-0224
4/2/08 Memorial Planned for Abuse Vicitms
A special
event has been planned in Pittsbor to remember the North Carolina Children who
have died as a result of Child Abuse.
On
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 the Coalition for Family Peace and Chatham County
Focus on Family Support Committee will host a special memorial to the victims
of child abuse in Chatham County.
Begins at
5:30 at the Central Carolina Community College’s Pittsboro Campus at the statue
at the beginning of the walking trail. For more information contact Melody
Troncale @ 919-542-5445 or melody@fvrc.org.
Press Releases Family Violence & Rape
Crisis Services
Contact: Melody Troncale Development
Coordinator/Public Relations Manager
919-542-5445
3/24/08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Transforming Our Community Charity Auction held on March 9th, 2008
in the picturesque, historic Barn at
A special thanks to our
sponsors Duffy Gilligan, Mortgage Broker, Newland Communities, Progress
Energy, Bish Enterprises, Weaver Street Realty, Smith Moore LLP, Epic Center
(Empowering People in Community), RB Fitch, and the Autry’s.
FVRC
and ChathamArts are thrilled by the community support we received. The auction
exceeded our expectations. More than $30,000 was raised to continue the
critical services of Family Violence and Rape Crisis and the Chatham County
Arts Council.
This success could not have
happened without the communities generous support. As we continue to advance
our missions, providing programs in our community that change lives,
transforming and strengthening our community, please know that your donation of
time and talent will make a difference.
The funds received from the
auction will help support the following programs:
Family Violence and Rape Crisis Services provides
24-hour crisis response, court advocacy, shelter, and counseling services; offers
school-based prevention, day camp programs, and outreach to the Latino
community; serves the needs of women, men, and children from
We are
very grateful for your generosity and support.
2/18/08
Event Planned for Empowering our Community
PITTSBORO—ChathamArts and Family Violence Rape Crisis Services
(FVRC) have once again joined forces to bring awareness of domestic violence
and sexual assault through their “Transforming Our Community Charity Auction”
to be held 2-5 p.m. Sunday, March 9 at the Fearrington Village Barn.
”The goal of this event is to raise awareness about these serious
and potentially deadly crimes and to raise much needed funds to help victims
with emergency shelter, counseling, safety plans and advocacy,” said FVRC
Co-Executive Director Jo Sanders, noting that women come from far and near to
find a safe haven at the Chatham County shelter.
“People who support the auction will be assisting families and individuals in
their quest for better lives and helping to build a community where everyone
can enjoy the pleasures of art,” she said;”and this annual party at the Barn is
a really fun way to do that!”
The $20 admission includes beverages (two tickets), hors
d’oeuvres, live music, empowering poetry and fine arts made available by many
local artists and with the support of area businesses.
The silent auction
begins at 2 pm, followed by a live auction at 3:30 p.m. Live music will be
performed by Trilogy (Brooksie
Edwards, Richard Edwards, Sheila Fleming Warner) and by classically trained
guitarist Josh Drye.
- The Blue House, has tickets (FVRC’s
office)at 200 East Street on Hwy 64 East
You may also reserve tickets by sending your donation to: Family
Violence & Rape Crisis Services, P.O. Box 1105, Pittsboro, NC 27312.
Please put "Charity Auction" in the subject line of the check.
FVRC and Chatham Arts are both non-profit organizations, who have been
working since 1982 to improving the quality of life in Chatham County.
More about Domestic
Violence
Domestic violence is a widespread problem with many elements. One
element is stalking. Many experts have concluded that there is a strong
connection between stalking and violence toward women. Stalking is not a
one-time occurrence; this is a crime that leaves its victims fearful 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. No place – not even home – is safe if a stalker knows
where the victim lives. Victims spend their days and nights looking over their
shoulder, often changing jobs, relocating their homes, and even changing their
appearance to escape the stalker.
Talking about stalking and other forms of domestic violence
empowers our community by raising awareness about the signs to look for and
what can be done to keep ourselves and our friends, family, and neighbor’s
safe.
Another type of domestic violence is dating violence. It is a
cruel reality for many American teens and has been shown to be a precursor to
adult domestic violence “We must teach our children what it means to have
healthy relationships free from harassment, fear, and physical and emotional
abuse. Our auction will help our community raise awareness of the destructive
and sometimes fatal dating relationships of our teens and promote prevention of
this type of violence,” said Melody Troncale of FVRC.
2-18-08 Why Volunteer for
FVRC:
Why you should volunteer for
Family Violence & Rape Crisis Services: (FVRC) and what we do to create a
safer community for everyone.
Early one morning January 2008 a
call from the Chatham County Sheriff's Office was received; they had a victim
of multiple sexual assaults and domestic violence with severe injuries that
needed hospital accompaniment.
FVRC advocates responded
immediately and provided the emotional and physical support needed during the
very traumatic hours and days that followed for this devastated woman. Support
given and received included evidence collection, hospital advocacy, crisis
counseling, protective order, transportation to the Sheriff's office for a
victims statement, court advocacy and support for hearings, visitation to
doctors, courts, lawyers and continued phone and personal support was/is
provided for this victim.
Domestic violence and Sexual
Assault is an ongoing and growing situation in Chatham County this victim is
only one of the over 900 clients helped in Chatham County in the past 14
months.
There is nothing commonplace
about the work that goes on here. Within the walls of FVRC support staff and
volunteers take on the job with enormous pride and dedication to deliver
assistance to Women, children, and families that are victims of domestic
violence and sexual assault. They encounter many faces with looks of anxiety,
despair, pain and fear. Our client stories speak of those who are brave, yet
afraid; victimized, yet heroes. With the assistance of FVRC staff and
volunteers, these same faces and voices are transformed to reflect hope,
justice and a brighter future for all. It is our intention to transform our
clients from victim to survivor to thrivor.
In order to do that we need
volunteers to help in the office, on the crisis lines, at events (March 9th),
and in our outreach store Second Bloom. We need the communities help to help create
a safer, peaceful, thriving abundant community.
To volunteer contact Andrea B. at 542-5445
Melody Troncale FVRC
Contact: Melody
Troncale
Family Violence & Rape
Crisis
919-542-5445
11-08-07
Timeline a
success: Founders and Community Partners
Honored
The
gathering to honor the founders and community partners of Family Violence &
Rape Crisis Services (FVRC) was held at Central Community College on October 25th
during its annual meeting. The meeting
acknowledged and celebrated 25 years of offering services to the women,
children and men of Chatham County.
Co-Executive Director Jo Sanders organized a
truly meaningful timeline for FVRC’s 25 years
of service to Chatham County. “So many people have played a part that
the timeline helped people notice and take pride in what they have done and are currently doing to help
keep the organization strong and to support our community. Staff, volunteers, partners and
supporters added names, dates, events,
news articles and photos to help create a marvelous visual history.. It will be
added to our archives to help those who come after us know of the history of
our agency,” said Jo Sanders.
Co-Executive
Director Kathy Hodges said, “The timeline visually supports the efforts of FVRC
and affirms the reason why we are one of the leading DV/SA programs in the
state and recognized nationally as a model rural program. Without our community
partners and founders we would not have been able to support over 950 victims
that came to us last year alone. We are
grateful for all their help and support.”
Community
partners that were recognized were Chatham County Government, Chatham County
Sheriff’s Office, Chatham Hospital, Chatham County Partnership for Children,
Chatham County Public Health Department, Child Victim Services, Family
Visitation Services, Hispanic Liaison, Legal Aid of North Carolina, Pittsboro
Police Department, Siler City Police Department, United Way of Chatham, 15-B
District Attorney’s Office, The Honorable Bob Atwater, and The Honorable Joe
Hackney.
Press Releases Family Violence & Rape
Crisis Services
Contact: Melody Troncale Development
Coordinator/Public Relations Manager
919-542-5445
10/03/07
Contact: Melody
Troncale
Family Violence & Rape Crisis
919-542-5445
October is National Domestic Violence Month
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During this time our community joins with
other across the nation focus on domestic violence, remembering victims, supporting
survivors and recommitting our selves to preventing this problem that affects
too many families.
Family Violence & Rape Crisis Services (FVRC) and The
Coalition for Family Peace are sponsoring community activities throughout the
month to draw attention to domestic violence and steps each member of the
community can take to make a difference.
Activities for the month include inserts in church bulletins, yard signs
throughout the county, information tables, purple ribbon campaigns, and
training for community professionals.
Men for Family Peace will be sponsoring a white ribbon campaign for men
working to end domestic and sexual violence.
The month will end with a vigil remembering Chatham County victims of
domestic violence at 5:30 pm on October 30th at the Siler City Town
Hall. Chief Gary Tyson of the Siler City
Police Department will be the keynote speaker.
A full calendar of events can be found at www.fvrc.org. Contact the Coalition for Family Peace to participate
in any of the Domestic Violence Awareness month activities.
Domestic violence victims span all ages, races and
classes. In July 2005 through June 2006
of the 48,173 reported victims of domestic violence in North Carolina. More than 115,000 crisis calls were
received. Nearly 7,000 women and
children sought refuge a domestic violence shelters across the state because it
was not safe for them to remain in their own homes
Last year, Family Violence & Rape Crisis Services
served more than 800 victims of domestic violence in Chatham County. More than
2,000 community members were reached through prevention and education programs
and services. Join us as we remember victims and work to end domestic
violence. FVRC is a United Way Agency.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Activities
·
October 9- Health
Cares about Domestic Violence, Information tables at Chatham Hospital
·
October 11-Breaking
the Siler, Stage One Domestic Violence Training, 9-12:30 at CCCC in Pittsboro (Call 742-7320
to register)
·
October 25- Stage Two
Domestic Violence Training, 9-12:30, CCCC in Pittsboro (Call 742-7320 to
register)
·
October 25-Family
Violence & Rape Crisis Services Annual Meeting and 25th
Anniversary (Call 542-5445 for more information)
·
October 30- Eleventh
Annual Domestic Violence Vigil with keynote speaker Chief Gary Tyson, Siler
City Police Department, 5:30 pm Siler City Town Hall
10/01/07
Candlelight Vigil In honor of Domestic
Violence Victims in the Community
October 30, 2007 5:30 Siler City Town Hall
Siler City, NC for more information
Contact: Melody Troncale 919-542-5445
9/12/07
Animal Abuse
and Family Violence Often Tied Together
Animal abuse is an early indicator of a household where the safety
of the woman and/or children is compromised. The likelihood that women’s
shelter personnel, advocates, and family counselors will encounter women and
children who have been coerced or controlled by batterers using animal abuse is
very high.
A survey of 50 of the largest shelters for battered women in the United
States found that 85% of women and 63% of children entering shelters discussed
incidents of pet abuse in the family. .Many women will not leave a violent
situation for fear of the pets being abused, tortured or killed. Pets become
pawns just like children.
Children who have witnessed domestic violence or who have been the victims of physical or sexual abuse may also become animal abusers themselves, imitating the violence they have seen or experienced. A study conducted in 1995 noted that 32% of the pet-owning victims of domestic abuse reported that one or more of their children had hurt or killed a pet. Similarly, a 1983 study noted that children were reported to be abusive to animals in more than a third of a sample of pet-owning families referred to New Jersey's Division of Youth and Family Services for suspected child abuse.
Most people are aware that animals play an important role as
sentinels of disease and toxins in our environment. The proverbial canary in
the coal mine is a well-known example: the sick canary served as a warning sign
for impending physical danger to the miners.
Recently, more and more evidence suggests that animals can play a
similar role with regard to domestic violence and sexual assault. Some of the
most striking evidence for a link between animal cruelty and human violence
lies in the case histories of many of the 20th century's most infamous
criminals.
- Mass-murderer and cannibal
Jeffrey Dahmer killed neighbors' pets and impaled a dog's head on a stick.
- David Berkowitz, the so-called
"Son of Sam," shot his neighbor's Labrador retriever.
- Albert DeSalvo, the "Boston
Strangler," shot arrows into boxes of trapped cats and dogs.
- Edmund Emil Kemper III, who
murdered his mother and 7 other women, used to abuse cats and dogs.
- Carol Edmund Cole, who murdered
35 people, admitted that his first violent act was strangling a puppy.
- Richard Allen Davis, kidnapper
and murderer, doused cats with gasoline and set them on fire.
Studies of prison inmates reveal that as many as 75% of violent
offenders had early records of animal cruelty. There is a high correlation
between family violence and animal cruelty. In one study families referred to
youth and family services for reasons of child abuse reported that 88% of cases
had at least one member of the household who physically abused animals. An
English researcher found that 83% of families reported for animal abuse also
had children listed at high risk of abuse or neglect.
Many law enforcement agencies are training officers
who respond to domestic violence calls to be alert for signs that a situation
is life-threatening. These include situations where the batterer has threatened
suicide, is displaying a firearm, or has hurt or killed a family pet.
In addition,
many domestic violence agengies and
animal protection organizations have begun partnering to develop "safe
havens" for the pets of domestic violence victims because many victims
delay leaving the abusive batterer out of fear for their pets' safety. All too
often, batterers punish victims for leaving by abusing or killing their beloved
pets.
Wouldn’t it be
wonderful if Chatham County had a safe haven for these victimized pets?
If you are interested in helping setup a safe haven for victims pets please call Melody Troncale @ 191-542-5445
9/07
Andrea Batsche joins
Family Violence & Rape Crisis
Family Violence and Rape Crisis Services of
Chatham County is pleased to announce that Andrea Batsche has joined their
staff as Volunteer Coordinator.
Andrea brings a long history of service to the
Chatham Community. Her work with many nonprofits, schools, libraries, Shakori
Hills and children has been invaluable to those organizations.
“Andrea brings to FVRC a wide knowledge of the
community, team spirit and the desire to work and serve the people of Chatham
County. I am looking forward to working
with her”, said Melody Troncale, FVRC’s Development Coordinator
Family Violence and Sexual Abuse effects so many
people in our county, FVRC provides a helping hand to those who are in need,
shelter for battered woman and children, criminal and civil court advocacy,
in-school education programs, and intervention and treatment for families, adults,
children, and teenagers that have been abused or are abusers. FVRC is a 25 year
old nonprofit organization that helps over 800 victims yearly, the agency is
recognized as one of the top in the state, and with the insurgence of new
comers both Spanish and English speaking to Chatham, FVRC and its shelter are
serving greater and greater numbers.
If you would like to volunteer to assist on the
crisis line, shelter, Second Bloom, or office please contact Andrea at 542-5445
or email her at andreab@fvrc.org
4/10/07
Transforming Our Community for 25 Years Event
a Success
After months of planning, months of meeting,
it's over! The Transforming
Our Community Art Auction held on March 18 th , 2007 in the
picturesque, historic Barn at Fearrington Village was a huge success!
Everything came together: the sponsors, volunteers, the guests, fantastic
music, good food, a dramatic performance that challenged the audience into
action and most importantly the generous donations from more than eighty
talented artists!
FVRC and ChathamArts are thrilled by the
community support we received. The auction exceeded our expectations. More than
$40,000
gross was raised to continue the critical services of Family Violence and Rape
Crisis and the Chatham County Arts Council.
This success could not have happened without
your generous support. As we continue to advance our missions, providing
programs in our community that change lives, transforming and strengthening our
community, please know that your donation of time and talent will make a
difference.
A special thanks to Dufy Gilligan, Mortgage
Broker, Remax Southern Advantage, Voller Realty and Construction, and Weaver
Street Realty for their generous sponsorships of this event.
We are very grateful for your generosity and
support, for more information contact, Melody Troncale @ 919-542-5445
3/6/07
Art Auction Celebrates 25 Years of Community
Service
PITTSBORO , NC - Mark your calendars for the
"Transforming Our Community For 25Years" Charity Art Auction, March
18th, at the Barn at Fearrington Village , midway between Pittsboro and Chapel
Hill . The art preview and silent auction will begin at 2:00 p.m. with the
live auction starting at 3:30. All proceeds benefit the programs and services
of Family Violence & Rape Crisis Services and Chatham Arts, the county art
council.
Chatham Arts and Family Violence & Rape
Crisis are celebrating 25 years of service to the community with this special
event. Many unique and valuable items have been donated for auction, including
original works by regional artists ,merchandise from area shops and gift
certificates from local businesses
Join us for an afternoon program of culinary
delights, live music, a dramatic performance, fine art and crafts with auctioneer
Gary Philips, music by Trilogy, Sheila Fleming Warner and Cathy
"Brooksie" Edwards and Josh Drye, aclassically trained guitarist and
a student at UNC, and a short dramatic piece presented by local thespians.
Individual admission is $25.00 (to honor the 25 years of service) and includes
beverages and light hors d'oevres
For more information, please contact Family
Violence & Rape Crisis Services at 542-5445 ext 312 or Chatham Arts at
542-0394. Additional details are available online at www.fvrc.org or
www.chathamarts.org
Tickets are available in historic downtown
Pittsboro at Second Bloom & Chatham Arts Gallery on Hillsboro Street and
The Blue House on East Street , and at Fearrington Village at Bluebirds and
Hollyhocks.
3/6/07
Please Join us at Weaver Street Realty in
Carrboro, Friday March 9th 6-9 PM Chatham Artisit Melody Troncale
and the Carrboro Art Walk Melody Troncale will introduce her new ceramic wall
pieces called Jo’s Goddesses based upon the women she knows and meets at Family
Violence and Rape Crisis Services. They are presented as personal objects each
with its own story. It is her intention that they bring joy, abundance, light,
laughter and empowerment to daily life. www.melodytroncale.com
3/1/07
Contact : Melody Troncale
Art Abuse and Healing
She huddled on the couch, wrapped in a
blanket, cup of hot tea in her hands.
“Can I help you? “ I asked, when she looked
up I blanched, two black eyes several days old looked at me, beaten again
beaten badly I thought. ”Let me get Alex for you.”
This was her story “Karla” was a newly wed,
married 8 months ago to her dream man. They had dated for two years. Their
families attended the wedding in a local church to wish them well in a union
all thought would last forever. It seemed so prefect.
“Karla is a small”, petite woman and “Warren”
a good-looking man of about 5' 10”, both are college educated that's where they
met. They had so much in common—fathers were CPA's, mothers were educators.
Karla was just finishing her master's in teaching. Warren had graduated and was
employed as an engineer by a local company.
“What went wrong?” She said, "What did I
do to make him snap like this? Warren never hurt me before we where married? I
love him so much how could he do this to me? “ As she talked the minutes, went
by, the story came out, the abuse started right after they were married he had
never touched her before, but now he said, “you belong to me now, you are mine,
I got you now, if I ever catch you…”
Karla did nothing wrong. Abuse is about power
and control.
Alex gave her a piece of paper and some
markers, as she talked she started to draw the horror of her experience; as she
drew it was being transformed. Soon silence followed, as Karla was able to
start processing the debasing event through her drawing that had forever
changed her life.
Art gives victims and survivors a way to
express their feelings that is nonverbal. They do not have to articulate the
emotions that bubble and swell to the surface of their careful arranged public
masks; emotions that erupt in fits of laughter, despair, and tears of gratitude
for deliverance. Art allows a nonjudgmental media to express the pain, sadness,
horror, loss of vitality, and finally, hopefully the renewal of passion, and
life to victims.
Art also provides an environment that
promotes healing, helping women and children to develop a new sense of hope for
their lives and their relationships. Art empowers—it allows victims to see
through the pain and transform themselves to positive vehicles of life.
As Alex, one of the counselors at Family
Violence & Rape Crisis Services (FVRC), drew along side of Karla, silent tears
flowed down both Karla's cheeks. A lifetime dream of joy was lost. A new
lifetime dream would have to be created. What would Karla choose?
FVRC has partnered with Chatham Arts. For the
past 25 years, each agency has served the Chatham County community, working to
heal and empower our community. Now they are working together to raise funds to
support both efforts. Please come to Transforming our Community for 25 years
Charity Art Auction 2-5 pm on March 18 th at the Fearrington Barn to help
celebrate. Over 60 artists have donated unique pieces, and local businesses
have donated items to help raise money to keep the vital services of FVRC and
the Chatham Arts alive.
Tickets are $25 and include an afternoon of
music, art, drama, light refreshments and community fellowship.
Abuse is not just physical pain; it is hurt
that wounds the heart and soul of the victim and our community. For tickets or
to donate contact FVRC @ 542-5445 or ChathamArts@542-0394.
SECOND ANNUAL ROSIE'S BEAD SALE RAISES
$13,000 FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE RAPE CRISIS CENTER OF CHATHAM COUNTY
In 2005 the first Trunk Show of Rosie's Beads
was held to raise funds for Family Violence & Rape Crisis Services of
Chatham County (FVRC). This event was so successful that on Sunday, December 3,
Kim and Rosie Batcheller again opened their home for the Second Annual Rosie's
Bead Trunk Show and from 4 to 6 PM lucky shoppers got to select necklaces made
by Rosie. A selection of beads, antique and new, from around the world were
purchased by Kim, Rosie's husband , and made in to stunning, one-of-a-kind
creations by Rosie. As Rhoda Berkowitz, a Fearrington resident, said, “Rosie's
never made a bad necklace.”
The intrepid volunteers gathered again on a
very cold Saturday, December 9, 2006 at A Southern Season to tempt Christmas
shoppers with a selection of necklaces. Then, on Sunday, December 10, Rosie's
Beads were available at the Holiday Market held in the Barn at Fearrington .
When receipts were tallied at the end of that event, a total of $13,000 was
raised from these three sales and donations.
What does this mean to Family Violence Rape
Crisis? As Gracie Robinson, Business Manager for Family Violence & Rape
Crisis Services of Chatham County put it, “Rosie and Kim have taken us to
heart. It's not just a project for them, they view social justice as imperative
and do what they can to move us in the right direction….The $13,000 are
unrestricted funds, that can fill holes in the budget, maybe overhead, maybe
supplies or maybe even emergency shelter for a victim and her children.”
Vo unteers for these events include d Rhoda
Berkowitz, Roger Berkowitz, Norma Berry, April Collmer, Debbie DiSabatino,
Kathy Hodges, Beverly Long, Anita Martin,Gracie Robinson, Melody Troncale and
Gloria Wilkins.
12/22/06 For Immediate Release
Community teaches a Heart lesson:
A month ago the calls started coming in from
families that needed help over the holidays. Help for food, heat, electric, a
safe place to be, shoes for the baby, formula, coats, a bed, a toy for my
baby and the one that broke my heart was a little boy who visited our offices
with his mother. I asked him what he wanted his reply was, “a toothbrush”, not
a toy, not a movie, not candy, but the child wanted his own toothbrush.
I work for a nonprofit I was overwhelmed; my
heart hurt, sad, I cried, how were we going to make all these wishes/needs come
true. As development coordinator I felt responsible where was I going to get
all that was needed. I spoke with Executive Director, Jo Sander's, “What
do I do?” She in her trust and wisdom told me quietly;” send out an appeal,
this community will come through, it always has."
I will admit I did not really believe we
could help all the people that were calling.
Then I got a call from Nona Mensha's second
grade class at Perry Harrison, they were making candy cane reindeer to help
raise money for the children in the shelter for the Holidays, my heart
ached a little less, how sweet of the teacher and children to think of others.
But I thought how much can a second grade class raise? I said a silent thank
you but still worried.
Next a woman walked through the door with not
just one bag of presents but a whole car full, the newspaper called to ask what
we needed and set up a piece in the newspaper for us. Then a check for 50.00 came
in marked for the families in need, then another, then a phone call from a
group of young people that had gathered $20.00, would that help they asked,
next came the Giving Tree at Second Bloom, people were taking our families and
giving not just a pair of shoes but providing for the whole family. I would ask
do you want a receipt so you can take it off your taxes. They would smile, hand
over the check, presents, or items needed and leave. Food cards, cards for
shoes, wal-mart cards, and toys all given gladly to help others in need. .
It is 4:57 on December 22, 2006, all of the
requests that we have received have been covered, this community responded in a
way that leaves me amazed. One gifter said
“Real generosity is doing something nice for
someone who will never find it out." I will go home to my son for the next
three days knowing in my heart that I live in a wonderful giving
community.
From the advocates, counselors, and staff at
Family Violence and Rape Crisis Thank you Community for helping us help others.
May you all have love, joy, abundance and laughter in the coming year.
Oh by the way Ms. Mensah class raised $422.50
to help the children in our shelter. Wow!!
Melody Troncale
Development/Public Relations
Coordinator/Manager
12/01/06
For
Immediate Release
Coalition for Family Peace Conference Draws a Crowd
The 4 th Annual Working Together to Keep
Families Safe Conference, sponsored by the Coalition for Family Peace, drew
more than 100 community members to learn about issues related to violence.
“Domestic Violence is a serious problem in our community and across the state,”
said Kathy Hodges, Co-Executive Director of Family Violence and Rape Crisis
Service and conference coordinator. “It is really great to have so many people
in our community come together to focus on how we can all work to make our
families—and communities—safer.”
Johnny Lee, Director of Peace at Work, a
statewide organization focused on preventing violence in the workplace was the
keynote speaker. “Domestic Violence costs businesses money. Employers across
the country are beginning to recognize this fact and to work to address it more
effectively. Abuse at home impacts job performance and healthcare costs.
Harassment interrupts victims at work. And, unfortunately, sometimes violence
spills over into the workplace,” said Lee. He went on to discuss steps
employers can use to effectively address domestic violence. After the keynote
session, he led a workshop where participants delved into the issues and
learned how policies and procedures can increase safety and help victims be
more productive on the job.
Nancy Berson, clinical social worker with the
UNC Child Trauma Program, provided workshop sessions on child sexual abuse.
Participants in these sessions included professionals working with families in
crisis, such as school social workers, health department staff, counselors and
family advocates. These sessions covered identification, effects and treatment
for victims.
Sgt. John Guard of the Pitt County Sheriff's
Office provided two workshops focused on law enforcement issues. The first
session covered federal and state firearms laws as they related to domestic
violence. He talked about strategies for enforcement, experiences in Pitt
County, and trends across the nation. In his second session he focused on a
pilot project to provide electronic monitoring for batterers on pre-trial
release. The program identifies high-risk defendants and uses electronic
bracelets to track them while out on bond. The system automatically notifies
law enforcement if the defendant is not where he or she is supposed to be or
has crossed over into an area where he or she is prohibited. The program is
expanding in the coming year, and Chatham County is one of the counties may
will be working to add it.
Other workshops included: The Faith
Community's Response to Domestic Violence, presented by Rev. Jack and Linda
Hileman, Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse (in Spanish), presented by Jaime
Montaño, and Child Sexual Abuse (in Spanish), presented by Lynne Walter of the
NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
Co-sponsors for the Conference included:
Chatham County Partnership for Children, Chatham County Public Health
Department, Chatham County United Chamber of Commerce, Chatham Hospital,
Goldkist and Townsend's. DVDs of the keynote presentation and Mr. Lee's
workshop are available. For more information contact the Coalition for Family
Peace at 742-7320.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7/12/06
BIKERS RIDE FOR FAMILY PEACE
Pittsboro----More than 60 People gathered for
the First Annual ride for Family Peace in Pittsboro , North Carolina .
Donations supported Family Violence & Rape Crisis Services of Chatham
County. Jean DeWar ride organizer and Victim Advocate said, “The day was
beautiful, the Police and Sheriffs escorts excellent, Thanks to all who
supported this worthy cause. FVRC looks forward to the 2 nd Annual Ride for
Family Peace.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6/25/06 Melody Troncale
BURRITOS MUSIC & AUCTION RAISE MONEY FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Pittsboro---Family
Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Chatham County (FVRC) and the General
Store Café will hold its annual Burrito Bash Monday July 10 th with music by
Tommy Edwards and Friends, an auction lead by Pam Smith will feature items such
as Southwest airlines tickets, Golf at the Preserve and certificates from the
Chapel Hill restaurant Group.
Tickets are $12.00 in advance, $15.00 at the
door; all proceeds from tickets will benefit victims of domestic and sexual
violence in Chatham County . For more information contact FVRC at 542-5445.
Tickets can be purchase at the FVRC big Blue House, Second Bloom in Pittsboro,
and the Coalition for Family Peace in Siler City . Please come enjoy the music,
have a burrito and help stop violence and abuse in Chatham County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6/22/06
TRONCALE JOINS FAMILY VIOLENCE AND RAPE
CRISIS SERVICE
Family Violence and Rape Crisis Services of
Chatham County is pleased to announce that Melody Troncale has joined their
staff as Development/ Public Relations Coordinator/Manager.
Melody has more than 30 years experience in
business and nonprofit training, public relations and development. She has
served on many nonprofit boards and advisory committees.” I am very pleased to
be of service to the Chatham Community”
.Family Violence and Sexual Abuse effects so
many people in our county, FVRC provides a helping hand to those who are in
need, shelter for battered woman and children, criminal and civil court
advocacy, in-school education programs, and intervention and treatment for
families, adults, children, and teenagers that have been abused or are abusers.
FVRC is a 24 year old nonprofit organization that helps over 800 victims
yearly, the agency is recognized as one of the top in the state, and with the
insurgence of new comers both Spanish and English speaking to Chatham , FVRC
and it's shelter are serving greater and greater numbers. It is my hope that I
will be very effective in finding and raising funds for this very important
program.