The following article has been contributed by Cecilia M. Gastón, MPA, Executive Director of Violence Intervention Program, Inc.. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Every year for the last ten years a growing group of women and men have donned wedding dresses and marched through the streets of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx chanting and shouting, “¡No más abuso contra las mujeres! No more violence against women!” The image of Gladys Ricart, who was shot and killed on her wedding day by her ex-partner, and many other women who have lost their lives to domestic violence are visible on signs and in newspaper articles pinned to the dresses worn by marchers.
This is the Annual New York City Brides March, and as the Executive Director of the Violence Intervention Program, a Latina domestic violence agency that together with the NY Latinas Against Domestic Violence coordinates the event, I look forward to marching every year. The survivors, community members and activists who come together each September 26th, the anniversary of Gladys’ death, are doing the important work of raising awareness about the hundreds of thousands of women that VIP and other organizations work year round to serve.
One in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime and the challenges that these women face in getting safe are monumental. Violence Intervention Program, Inc. (VIP) provides services to Latinas and other women healing from the trauma of domestic violence in a culturally competent environment that is supportive, non-judgmental and respectful of each woman’s right to self determination. We promote social change and believe that we can change societal attitudes through developing public awareness in the Latino communities. VIP engages clients in this work through a new program called Adelante Mujer, working with survivors as promotoras, or community educators, to empower others to seek help from abusive relationships.
Rosa Maya is one of our promotoras and this is her story:
“I'm Rosa Maya and I spent 20 years with a man who repeatedly insulted me. When we arrived to New York from Mexico, I worked 12 to 17 hour days to make rent and pay the bills. He hardly ever worked, blaming me that he couldn't since someone had to watch the children. In September of 2008, he fractured my jaw, which had just been operated on in March for an injury he was responsible for 8 years before.
When I went to the hospital, I was told that my jaw could not be operated on because it had not healed from the last operation. From there I went to a homeless shelter. It was very hard. I couldn't take my 5 children with me, only the youngest who were 6 and 14 years old. My children were appointed an attorney who then referred me to VIP.
From the moment I arrived, VIP referred me to a group and a social worker who were supportive of me. In February of 2009, I received my working permit and filled out an application for Social Security. Shortly after, I started my job cleaning hotels. I'm happy because VIP helped me a lot and I realized that it is possible to move past domestic violence.
Hopefully, as a promotora in the Adelante Mujer program, I can convince other battered women to seek help. I advise them to have faith and confidence because as women they can move forward. I put myself as an example, I lasted 20 years in abuse and I was able to move ahead. There is always help available as long as you want it. If you believe in God and have faith, anything is possible in life, only death has no solution.”
Rosa Maya’s story is one of success, but there are hundreds of thousands who continue to live in fear. And so every year on September 26th, VIP staff together with the community will continue to march in protest until the abuse ends for all women.
Cecilia M. Gastón, MPA
Executive Director
Violence Intervention Program, Inc. (10035)
Bilingual Hotline: 1-800-664-5880
Return to Charlie's Blog
Leave a comment