Domestic violence can take many forms. It may involve physical aggression, verbal abuse, emotional manipulation, forced sexual activity, or financial control. Often abuse is not physical, but any abuse is still part of an indication of power and control and could lead to more aggressive actions in the future. Violence in a relationship is not an isolated incident, but a pattern of behaviors designed to control another person.
Here are some things you should know:
1. You are not alone.
2. The abuse is not your fault.
3. You deserve to live in a safe environment.
4. There are resources to help.
5. Hope can happen here.
You are not responsible for, nor do you deserve, any abuse that you receive, no matter what the circumstances. If you are experiencing abuse in any form, you deserve the help and support of people who understand the reality of physical and emotional abuse.
Help is Available.
It may be very difficult to identify yourself as a battered woman, but it is an important first step. No one has the right to hit you, threaten you, or harm your children. Violence at home does not simply "go away". No amount of care in your housekeeping, child rearing, or personal habits will halt the violence. It is not your fault. If you feel trapped in an abusive relationship, call Peaceful Paths Crisis Line today at 352-377-8255 or 1-800-393-SAFE (7233). Become informed about your rights and talk to the people who can support your decisions.
Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Network will be holding a community Open House at their new Outreach Facility on Thursday, September 2, from 5:30-7:30 pm.. Tiffany Carr, President and CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, will present the keynote address at 6:30. This event is free and open to the public, and monetary donations can be made throughout the evening.
We appreciate all that the community has done to get us to this point, and with your continued support, we will raise the remaining $50,000 we need to move in debt free. Here is how you can help today:
Buy a Brick: for a contribution of $100, you can add your name to the Peaceful Path with a peraonlized engraved brick. Clink on the link at the top of this page, or visit the fundraising link.
Sponsor a Room: We still have a variety of rooms (teen group room, children's play room, adult group room, training room, library) that need sponsors. Visit the fundraising link for the various amounts needed to sponsor these rooms and use PayPal to make your donation today.
Sponsor a Program: The agency needs to replace all the supplies for the various in-house programs we operate in the outreach offices, and you can help by sponsoring an individual program. Go to the fundraising link for a list of the programs available for sponsorship.
Famlies served by Peaceful Paths have a vareity fo ongoing needs. Please visit the Fundraising page for a the complete Wish List the agency has at this time.
Priority Items:
$15 sponsorships for School Uniforms for participant children: We have 45 children that need 2-3 outfits each to start school. Donate on the PayPal tab on the Fundraising Page and designate "school uniforms" in the comments section.
Gas Cards
Gift Cards for food stores
Peaceful Paths is on Facebook - join our cause and invite your friends to add our page as a cause. Check out frequent updates and pictures at www.facebook.com/PeacefulPaths
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)
Alachua County Community Agency Partnership Program
City of Gainesville, Block Grant Division
Women's Giving Circle of the Gainesville Community Foundation
Generous Community Donors
Member of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
