Many local resources available for victims of domestic violence

I was so glad to see Thursday evening’s Domestic Violence Candlelight vigil get some news coverage. I know October is Domestic Violence Awareness month but I was wondering if any and all coverage was going to get lost amid more Virg vs. Carol mayoral race drama or Governor Granholm line item veto cuts.

I was fortunate enough to be in attendance at both the vigil and the Kim Douglas book signing at Everybody Reads earlier in the afternoon.

Kim Douglas, the author of High Desert: A Journey of Survival and Hope, led a very personal and insightful discussion in which she shared some of her experiences as a victim of child abuse. I was particularly moved by her revelation about her fears of continuing the cycle of abuse with her own children.

If you were able to attend the vigil, you not only saw Kim Douglas speak for yourself, but you also saw a wide representation of domestic violence resources available to the Greater Lansing Community.

Sponsoring Thursday’s moving tribute to survivors and victims of domestic violence were the following local agencies:

* EVE, Inc. - Provides 24 hour crisis line, in addition to shelter and support services for victims of domestic violence. Phone: 372-5572

* Capital Area Response Effort - Response team for victims of domestic violence. Phone: 272-7436

* MSU Safe Place - Domestic violence shelter and support services for the MSU and Greater Lansing communities. Phone: 355-1100

* Women’s Center of Greater Lansing - Provides services to women including: career counseling, resume preparation, individual counseling and a wide variety of support groups and workshops. Phone: 372-9163

* Lansing Chapter of National Organization of Women - For more information, contact Renee Beeker, President at: (517) 485-9687 or [email protected]

Other area resources include:

* Personal Protection Order (PPO) Office - Provides technical assistance in obtaining and maintaining a PPO. Phone: 483-6545

* Latinas Against Domestic Violence / Latinas Contra la Violencia Domestica - Call (616) 821-5840 for more information.

* Listening Ear 24 Hour Crisis Line - Provides crisis counseling and sexual assault counseling/advocacy services. Phone: 337-1717

* Michigan Resource Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence - Provides a collection of resources available to all Michigan residents. Access online by clicking above. Phone: 381-4663 or 347-7000

* Open Eyes of Faith - Provides faith communities with resources to help congregations end abuse in relationships. For more information, contact: [email protected]

Please remember that domestic violence affects many men, women, and children in our community. If you or someone you know is being victimized, please seek out or share some of these resources.