Heading up this program for us is Juliette Beer of Kendall Florida.
We all recognize the victims of domestic violence who are in the relationship. In most cases these victims are women, but men too can be and are abused by their spouses as well.
In most cases we are also now recognizing that the Children in these relationships are victims as well, of both violence and abuse which leads to neglect.
But the victims we have not addressed in the past are now being given the recognition they deserve. The Mothers and the Fathers, and other family members, friends and co-workers of the victims of this CRIME.
Parents of domestic violence live in fear as well, they fear for their child's life, they can see that their child is doing wrong by staying in a bad relationship, but they are powerless. Many times they are isolated because of being outspoken to their child and the life their child has decided to live.
In many cases these parents are also threatened by the abuser, or the abuser will use the threat of hurting a family member to keep their victim in their control.
Out of all the people it is the parents who do not understand why their daughters/son's stay with a person who treats them so badly. They did not raise their child to be dependant, or a victim. They can not understand why this child who had dreams, was self-confident, and had a wonderful future ended up with an abuser and continues to stay or return to their abuser.
That is why we have started this support group for parents, grandparents, family members, friends and co-workers...so that they too can exchange thoughts, fears, and through group support find ways of dealing with the situations they find themselves in, and in time hopefully help their child.
The grandchildren are a big concern for these victims, they feel powerless to protect the children and fear for their safety and up-bringing. They realize that their grandchildren are in danger, that they are also part of the violence and abuse. NO CHILD SHOULD WITNESS, SEE, HEAR OR BE HARMED IN ANYWAY. In these cases children are being harmed, physically, mentally and emotionally. Children WILL protect the victim, they WILL eventually fight with, or attack the abuser. The abuser will use the children as a weapon against their victim, or threaten to take the children from the victim as a way of keeping the victim in their life.
Children can die at the hands of an abuser, they tend to try and protect, they will step between the victim and the abuser, or they might be in the direct position of a flying object or a push or shove.
We believe in family unity, but not at the risk of life or safety of the children.
Grandparents Against Domestic Violence, is here to listen, help and refer.
We are also looking to open other sites around the country and world and are looking for volunteers and other parents, grandparents, family members, friends, and co-workers who need help in unraveling their feelings and fears when it comes to someone they care about who is in a violent and abusive relationship.
If we are to end this CRIME..all the victims and survivors (family members etc. also can be survivors) need to come together and show in numbers that we will not tolerate our loved ones being victimized.
I will direct you to the program leader or tell you how you can start a sub-chapter in your area.
