Celebrating The Strength of Women! - "Taking the Secret our of Abuse"

Please join Cherie Griffith-Dunn, Global Business Connector Conneticut, Sister Anyago, Owner FLYY Empowerment Freedom Coach, Minister Ivanna Holloway, Founder When Depression Meets Destiny, Toyin Balogun Okunuga, Author Hush to Roar, Carolyn Jasper, Director Prudence Crandall and,

Women Speakers Association for an Empowering, Inspiring conversation

"Taking the Secret our of Abuse"

Here’s what we know:

• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking with impacts such as injury, fearfulness, post-traumatic stress disorder, use of victim services, contraction of sexually transmitted diseases, etc.
• Victims of intimate partner violence lose a total of 8.0 million days of paid work each year.
• The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $8.3 billion per year.
• Between 21-60% of victims of intimate partner violence lose their jobs due to reasons stemming from the abuse.

What can we do?:

• Be available. If someone you know is thinking about leaving or is in fear the violence will escalate, be ready to help. Keep your phone with you and the ringer on, make sure you have gas in your car and discuss an escape plan or meeting place ahead of time.
• Listen with both ears. If someone ever confides in you they are experiencing domestic violence, listen without judgment. Believe what they are telling you and ask how you can help
• Know the number to a nearby shelter. You never know who might need refuge in a hurry. Keep numbers to shelters (find local shelter numbers here) and the National Domestic Violence Hotline in your phone (800-799-7233)
• Join Events - Like this one! To get support, become more understanding and then spread the word.