During Black History Month, Safe Harbor is celebrating and honoring the talent we have in our own organization! Here are some words from Doris Haley, a Board Member at Safe Harbor:
There is an incredible tool at our disposal that is often overlooked, that can help combat any number of issues: prevention. Prevention is the idea that we can stop something before it happens. There is a famous saying that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of a cure.” It is easier to stop something from happening in the first place than it is to repair the damage after it has happened. So why don’t we use it more often?
Domestic violence and human trafficking prey on people’s vulnerabilities and needs. No matter the emotional or physical intoxication of the abuser or trafficker, these instances are not ok. It is important that we remember that Human Trafficking is a form of domestic violence and an abusive relationship can turn into a trafficking relationship. Trafficking is and always will be the exploitation or forced (physically or emotionally) requirement to have sex or to work for the cash or value benefit of another person/people/industry. If an abuser in a relationship requires this of their spouse/significant other then this would be an instance of human trafficking. One instance does not mean that it is immediately changed into a trafficking relationship, but, it is still human trafficking.
La violencia doméstica y la trata de humanos se aprovechan de las vulnerabilidades y necesidades. No importa la intoxicación física o emocional del abusador o traficante, nada de esto está bien. Es importante que recordemos que la trata de personas es una forma de violencia doméstica y que las relaciones abusivas pueden convertirse en relaciones de trata. La trata es y siempre será la explotación o requisito forzado (físico o emocional) de tener sexo o trabajar por el beneficio de otra persona/personas/industria. Si un abusador requiere esto de su pareja entonces sería tambien un caso de trata de personas. Un caso no siginifica que automaticamente se convierte en una relación de trata, pero si es trata de personas.
As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we want to emphasize that there is no survivor justice without racial justice. Survivors of domestic violence have their power and control taken away from them by their partners. Black, Indigenous, and People of color have historically had their power taken away from them by racism. This shows up in higher rates of violence experienced by people who have been marginalized, including Black women who are more than 2 times more likely to be murdered by men than White women are. At Safe Harbor, we feel that if we want to truly support survivors of domestic violence, we have to think about racism and all kinds of discrimination. We want to honor Dr. King in our work every day by working to lessen the barriers survivors of color face. We asked Safe Harbor staff to share their favorite quote by Dr. King and why it is their favorite.
Al honrar al Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., queremos enfatizar que no hay justicia para las sobrevivientes sin justicia racial. Las parejas abusivas le quitan el poder y control a las sobrevivientes de la violencia doméstica. Históricamente, el racismo les ha arrebatado el poder a las personas negras, indígenas y de color. Esto se manifiesta en tasas más altas de violencia que experimentan las personas que han sido marginadas, incluidas las mujeres negras, que tienen más del doble de probabilidades de ser asesinadas por hombres que las mujeres blancas. En Safe Harbor, sentimos que si realmente queremos apoyar a los sobrevivientes de la violencia doméstica, debemos pensar en el racismo y todo tipo de discriminación. Queremos honrar al Dr. King en nuestro labor todos los días intentando disminuir las barreras que enfrentan los sobrevivientes de color. Le pedimos al personal de Safe Harbor que compartiera su cita favorita del Dr. King y por qué es su favorita.
Almost immediately I realized I was being followed. I was originally going to stay in our home state, but now with the headlights in my rearview mirror I just kept driving and driving. Trying to get away from the pain, hurt and the fear I drove across the country. I got myself and kid into a domestic violence shelter in another state. I was scared but was starting to feel safe.
Casi de inmediato me di cuenta que me estaban siguiendo. Mi plan original era quedarme en el mismo estado, pero ahora con los faros en mi retrovisor, seguí conduciendo. Conducí a través del país tratando de alejarme del dolor, las heridas, y el miedo. Mi hijo y yo entramos a un albergue para víctimas de la violencia doméstica en otro estado. Tenía miedo pero empezaba a sentirme segura.
“I didn’t know that I was being abused because my definition of abuse looked different. My husband pushed me, but most of my suffering was verbal and psychological. I left my husband to protect our young daughter. Almost immediately I felt the weight of his oppression begin to lift. I could see a difference in my daughter as well. Then he broke into my home and assaulted me in-front of her.
I sought help and was led to Safe Harbor. My daughter and I are in counseling now. I am sorting out the mess that abuse has caused. I am finding my voice and seeking opportunities to grow and better my life as well as my daughter's. She will gauge her self-worth from my own self-worth. I must show her that she deserves the best, by expecting the best for myself.
Many years I suffered in silence. By telling my story and being honest with friends and family, I am taking control of my life again.”
MAKE A GIFTWhen you give to Safe Harbor, 82 cents of every dollar goes directly to our intervention services and prevention initiatives to break the cycle of domestic abuse in the Upstate of South Carolina. |
BOOK A SPEAKERWe are available to provide domestic abuse education and information about Safe Harbor’s services through speaking engagements, trainings, workshops and awareness campaigns. |
SUPPORT OUR SHOPSafe Harbor Resale Shop operates solely on donations from our generous community. Donations are tax deductible and make a difference in the lives of our clients. |
DONATE FURNITUREYour donated furniture can support our clients as they transition out of our programs and start a new life, and can also raise money for Safe Harbor by going to our Resale Shop to be re-sold. |
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