COMMUNITY ADVOCACY
CENTER
657 Fairview Ave., Ridgewood, New York 11385
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COMMUNITY ADVOCACY
CENTER |
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Robert Rothermel, President of the Community Advocacy
Center (CACNYC.ORG) traveled to South Carolina and gave a stunning account of
facts surrounding domestic violence which often affect older adults.
8A Pickens County Courier Rothermel Visits S.C. to aid in Fight Against Domestic Violence “Remember, help is only a phone call away. — New York's Community Advocacy Center director Robert Rothermel” COUNTY — Robert Rothermel, the executive director of New York's Community Advocacy Center, recently made another visit to South Carolina to aid in the fight against domestic violence. Rothermel said South Carolina unfortunately needs a wake-up call, as it is hiding a very ugly secret. The stare is among the worst in the nation for domestic violence. The top five South Carolina cities in call volume to the National Domestic Violence Hotline are Columbia, Greenville, Charleston, Spartanburg and Myrtle Beach. More than half of the abuse from South Carolina callers was emotional (54 percent), followed by physical (42 percent) and sexual (4 percent). Situations faced by callers in South Carolina were: legal challenges (41 percent), family violence (29 percent), economic abuse (31 percent), custody disputes (15 percent), stalking (9 percent), immigration (7 percent) and rural location (13 percent). The top three services requested by South Carolina callers were domestic violence services (64 percent), legal services (27 percent) and basic human needs (5 percent). Within the domestic violence services category, callers most frequently requested shelter, individual and group therapy, and nonresidential shelter services (such as hotlines). More than half of the callers requesting legal services were seeking assistance with protective/restraining orders, while 31 percent were seeking an attorney. A third of the callers seeking support with basic human needs expressed a need for emergency financial aid, 21 percent were seeking long-term housing and 25 percent were seeking assistance with transportation. Rothermel said that in the year 2010 the National Domestic Violence Hotline made more than 1,160 referrals to South Carolina providers. More than half of these referrals went to these five providers — Sistercare, Inc. of Columbia, Safe Harbor, Inc. of Greenville, My Sister's House of Charleston, CASA in Myrtle Beach and the Pee Dee Coalition in Florence. Rothermel also addressed barriers to service, saying there were 1,467 disclosed incidents from South Carolina callers regarding barriers to services; 304 were in the area of direct services and 222 were in the area of legal services. He also noted that there were a total of 44 incidents in which a South Carolina caller reported that he/she was denied shelter. Speaking specifically to domestic violence victims of the Upstate, Rothermel recommended Safe Harbor of Greenville. "Safe Harbor is a non-profit organization providing safe shelter, counseling advocacy, and other services for victims of domestic violence and their children, and domestic violence prevention and education," he said. "Safe Harbor also operates a domestic violence crisis line and two secure safe homes, serving Greenville, Pickens, Oconee and Anderson." The telephone number for Safe Harbor, Inc. is 800-291-2139, their Greenville shelter is (864) 467-3636 and their administrative office is (864) 467-1177. Rothermel said domestic violence is a pattern of behavior to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence. The behavior can involve physical, sexual, economic, emotional and psychological abuses. It affects people who are married, divorced, living together, dating, or in gay or lesbian relationships, and people from all social economic racial, religious and ethnic groups. Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, but women are by far the most common victims. Rothermel said extreme jealousy and possessiveness are not signs of love. They are signs of control and they can lead to emotional and physical abuse. Rothermel also gave more facts about domestic violence. Domestic violence affects one out of four American women. Up to 50 percent of all homeless women and children in the U.S. are fleeing domestic violence. Bartering often begins or increases during pregnancy. Reports by battered mothers show that 87 percent of children witness the abuse. Violence is a learned behavior that is passed from generation to generation. Drugs and alcohol do not cause battering. "Remember, help is only a phone call away," Rothermel said. "Call 911 and then contact a domestic violence program, Stay safe.” ***************************************************************************
The Community Advocacy Center
Our MissionHonor thy Mother and Father is the Foundation of Elder Law.
This Program will collaborate with local Bar Associations in order to develop Preventive law Practice in Neighborhoods in New York City. THE LEON VON HOLDEN Grandparents Resource Service Our Mission Dedicated to serving grandparents and their families, our primary goal is to assist grandparents and their families, and to reach out to grandchildren who stand at risk of being torn apart from their biological families and displaced through the legal system. We also provide legal assistance, when necessary, to re-unify children with their biological families, and to improve the family life of America's future leaders in society. GRC envisions that building and keeping American families strong, intact, and together will insure the well being of our children and the health of the entire family. We work with grandparents and family members to facilitate harmony, and foster intergenerational relationships, providing a broader security for the children in the family. We help families to negotiate with the system to re-connect children in foster care with their biological families. It is our goal to help rescue children who are in a "limbo realm" and in despair, and have them placed in permanent, safe homes with grandparents and/or with other suitable family members. We also assist family members by providing them with the necessary services and resources in raising these youngsters to be useful citizens.
Contact InformationPlease feel free to contact us in any way you choose
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Last modified: 10/21/11 |
