First Lady says "August is Girls Night Out Month"

The following article is a Monthly Message by West Virginia's First Lady Gayle C. Manchin, published on HuntingtonNews.net. The First Lady shares the YWCA of Charleston's passion for making each home in our community a safe place free from domestic violence. We thank her for her voluntary post on this issue and on our Girls Night Out event this coming Thursday that benefits victims of domestic violence through the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program.

August is 'Girls' Night Out' Month

August, 8, 2009 (HNN) -- August is a month of reining in our last summer activities, thinking of our new beginnings--whether it be the opening of school, band and athletic practices, or fundraisers as fall quickly approaches. My mind goes to the ‘Girls’ Night Out’ event which has become an annual favorite, not only here in Charleston, but across the state and nationally.

The theme this year is Girls in pearls: the black and white bash on Thursday, August 13, 6-11 p.m. at the Sunrise Mansion. All of these similar events were designed to draw attention and awareness to debilitating effects of domestic violence and the essential need for women to know they can and should be able to turn to other women for resources, support, and maybe above all, unconditional friendship. The YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program offers 24/7 shelter and supportive services for victims of domestic violence.

Unfortunately domestic violence is a horrific problem that continues to plague West Virginia at alarming rates; therefore, the YWCA of Charleston has begun a discussion on ending the cycle of domestic violence in our state. The YWCA of Charleston believes that all people – women, men and children – have the right to live their lives free of violence, oppression, and intimidation. Our very nation was founded on this premise; however, domestic violence directly violates these rights and makes the home a place of terror instead of a place of peace.

In our most recent data, the West Virginia State Police Crime Statistics Report, noted 14,315 reported incidents of domestic violence. Of these, 10,530 of the victims were female and 3,518 were male, illuminating the fact that violence and abuse is not limited to one gender and certainly no one race. Domestic violence is defined as any of several acts between family or household members causing or placing another in jeopardy of physical harm; creating fear by harassment, psychological abuse or threatening acts; committing sexual assault or abuse; and confining or abducting another person against their will.

Yearly, YWCA representatives are joined by other domestic violence advocates from around our state for Domestic Violence Prevention Day at the state capitol in a continuing effort to educate lawmakers and the public about this ongoing appalling dilemma in our state.

Although these are all steps in the right direction, it takes more than government, law enforcement, and service providers like the YWCA to fully combat this issue. Women empowering women is one more way that we can be advocates and a voice for all who are intimidated into silence. It takes the entire community to look after our friends and neighbors and be positive role models to our children and students. It takes all of us in rising up as a community and saying “no more” to the cycle of violence.

I would invite all women who would like to join us in Charleston on August 13 to register online at http://www.ywcacharleston.org/ or contact Carol Carroll, Phone: 304-340-3573 or Email: ccarroll@ywcacharleston.org or check for events in your community----better yet-start one in your community to insure that we eliminate victims and engage advocates!