Vera House hosted community leaders in Onondaga County at Curtin Auditorium for their 21st Annual Report to the Community on domestic and sexual violence. In spite of the decreased funding from the city, Vera House verahouse.org established an International Victims Program to provide legal assistance to immigrants and refugees who are victims of domestic violence. Additionally, it also expanded its shelter to provide safe housing to men and transgender individuals.
Co-founder of Mothers Against Gun Violence, Lakisha Martin spoke today about violence within Syracuse and her experience overcoming it. "We had no idea we were going to open pandora's box. We had no idea we were going to trip over it. Violence is a complex thing," said Martin.
The report showed that law enforcement response answered less domestic calls in 2009 compared to 2008. The Police Department says it "looks like were on track," because the arrests they've made on domestic and sexual violence has increased.
Survivors of domestic violence spoke today on behalf of Vera House, "from my mistakes I've learned to never keep a secret. Someone is always watching. Vera House helped me help myself and they can do the same for you," said Ed. Victims withheld their last name in hopes to remain anonymous in order to protect their safety.
Vera House also displayed a clothesline exhibit of over 500 shirts created by survivors of sexual assault. The Clothesline Project can be seen at Great Northern Mall and Clinton Square.
Despite their efforts to rally support today and update the community on its services, there has actually been an increase in couple's homicide. In 2008 there was 1 couple's homicide in Onondaga County and so far in 2009 the number has risen to 6.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Jennifer Shaw, program coordinator of Vera House says "all we can do is let the community know and keep them informed."
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