Every nine seconds, girls as young as the age of twelve, are beaten or abused in the United States. According to Positive Results Corporation (PRC) a non-profit organization in the L.A. area, one-in-four women and one-in-six men will be domestic violence victims at some point in their life.
In communities of color, that number doubles.
During the month of October, both men and women who have been abused or who may know someone who has been abused celebrate Domestic Violence Awareness Month by wearing the color purple and educating their communities and families.
“Women, children and families are abused on a daily basis not just one month,” said Executive Director of the Positive Results Corporation Kandee Lewis. “We are going to honor domestic violence victims and their families as well as educating women, girls, fathers and their daughters about domestic violence, dating violence and interpersonal violence and the impact it has on us and our community.”
According to Lewis, signs of domestic violence can be seen in young men and women as early as the 5th grade.
Symptoms of domestic violence can start in the most vital stages of child development, the womb.
PRC conducted a study and found the following results. If a woman is pregnant and is hit in the stomach, the unborn child can experience the same thing as the mother.
“We know some people who were hit in the stomach while they were pregnant and the baby was born with bruises on its body,” said Lewis.
Recently, the Positive Results Corporation started launching workshops such as “Bullying through Music” to prevent the violence and abuse that takes place in communities of color.
In honor and celebration of Domestic Violence Awareness month, PRC (as part of the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Campaign), is hosting a Purple Purse Tea Party and conversations on violence and abuse and its impact on women Sunday, October 23, from 2 – 6 p.m., at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
Girls get in free and adults are asked to give a $50 donation. All donations will go either directly to the Purple Purse Tea Party Event or to future PRC events.
“We want to take people out of their normal everyday environment and show them something beautiful,” said Lewis.
“No matter what kind of violence or abuse you are living in, no matter what has happened to you, you deserve the best and we want to show you the best. We want to show you that there is so much potential in you and help you to see the love that’s inside of you by us giving you that love.”
During the event psychologists will discuss how domestic violence leads to an increase in the number of suicides. A marriage and family therapist will also be in attendance at the event to discuss the pleasure principle.
To see a full schedule of the event and for domestic violence resources visit http://www.prc123.org/ or email [email protected]
