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Nevada first lady Dawn Gibbons
Nevada's first lady Dawn Gibbons commended Fallon's efforts against domestic violence Monday at a candlelight vigil conducted by Domestic Violence Intervention.
“Fallon, I salute you for fighting domestic violence through your criminal justice system,” Gibbons said, later adding, “these extraordinary citizens here provide a lifeline of support.”
Linda East, director of DVI, said a woman is beaten every nine seconds, children are present at an average of 1,712 incidents of abuse, 70 percent of child witnesses are also victims and three or more women are murdered by their boyfriends or husbands everyday in the United States.
“Domestic violence is about two things — power and control,” Gibbons said.
At the vigil survivors were honored and given the opportunity to tell their stories.
Survivor Dawn Maxson revealed many women endure abuse because they believe — if it isn't physical — it isn't abuse.
“I did not know that emotional abuse is considered by most experts harder to overcome than physical abuse,” Maxson said.
She also explained why women who know they are victims struggle to leave.
“I have been guilty in the past of thinking — what kind of woman would stay with a man like that,” Maxson said. “Then I myself became a victim.”
Maxson said abusers break down their victims and isolate them, which can cause something comparable to Stockholm's Syndrome — they feel dependent on their abuser.
“How can you separate yourself from anything when you have no sense of self left?” Maxson asked. “Please believe me when I say, you can get out, and you can recover.”
Unfortunately, when a victim remains with an abuser, many children become subject to harm, said Lorretta Guazzini owner of the Gardens Funeral Home and Crematory.
“When you stay in a relationship that's going to endanger your child's life, be careful where it goes because I don't want to pick up your child,” Guazzini said.
Guazzini added witnesses need to seek help too. She said everyday people witness abuse and do nothing.
“They deserve better than that, but sometimes you hold back because you don't want to get involved,” Guazzini said. “But, you have what you need to get involved.”
East added some witnesses try but give up when the victim returns to the abuser, leaving that person without support.
“She might think she's ready now, but if she goes back in a couple weeks, leave the door open so there is a place to go,” East said.
East said DVI offers a crisis line, confidential shelter, food pantry, transitional housing program, domestic violence and sexual assault support groups, peer counseling and more. East said they also help survivors with problems that make survival difficult after leaving, such as legal or financial issues.
East said DVI holds the candlelight vigil to honor victims and survivors and to spread knowledge, so the entire community understands there are local resources and people fighting back.
“There are a lot of women out there who don't know there's help and there is,” said a survivor who requested anonymity. “There's help. There are safe places to go. They don't have to go through it alone.”
The Domestic Violence Intervention hotline is 427-1500, if you get voicemail call right back. DVI is located at 125 W. Center St. 423-1313. Support groups are held at New Frontier. DVI can always use more volunteers and donations.
“Fallon, I salute you for fighting domestic violence through your criminal justice system,” Gibbons said, later adding, “these extraordinary citizens here provide a lifeline of support.”
Linda East, director of DVI, said a woman is beaten every nine seconds, children are present at an average of 1,712 incidents of abuse, 70 percent of child witnesses are also victims and three or more women are murdered by their boyfriends or husbands everyday in the United States.
“Domestic violence is about two things — power and control,” Gibbons said.
At the vigil survivors were honored and given the opportunity to tell their stories.
Survivor Dawn Maxson revealed many women endure abuse because they believe — if it isn't physical — it isn't abuse.
“I did not know that emotional abuse is considered by most experts harder to overcome than physical abuse,” Maxson said.
She also explained why women who know they are victims struggle to leave.
“I have been guilty in the past of thinking — what kind of woman would stay with a man like that,” Maxson said. “Then I myself became a victim.”
Maxson said abusers break down their victims and isolate them, which can cause something comparable to Stockholm's Syndrome — they feel dependent on their abuser.
“How can you separate yourself from anything when you have no sense of self left?” Maxson asked. “Please believe me when I say, you can get out, and you can recover.”
Unfortunately, when a victim remains with an abuser, many children become subject to harm, said Lorretta Guazzini owner of the Gardens Funeral Home and Crematory.
“When you stay in a relationship that's going to endanger your child's life, be careful where it goes because I don't want to pick up your child,” Guazzini said.
Guazzini added witnesses need to seek help too. She said everyday people witness abuse and do nothing.
“They deserve better than that, but sometimes you hold back because you don't want to get involved,” Guazzini said. “But, you have what you need to get involved.”
East added some witnesses try but give up when the victim returns to the abuser, leaving that person without support.
“She might think she's ready now, but if she goes back in a couple weeks, leave the door open so there is a place to go,” East said.
East said DVI offers a crisis line, confidential shelter, food pantry, transitional housing program, domestic violence and sexual assault support groups, peer counseling and more. East said they also help survivors with problems that make survival difficult after leaving, such as legal or financial issues.
East said DVI holds the candlelight vigil to honor victims and survivors and to spread knowledge, so the entire community understands there are local resources and people fighting back.
“There are a lot of women out there who don't know there's help and there is,” said a survivor who requested anonymity. “There's help. There are safe places to go. They don't have to go through it alone.”
The Domestic Violence Intervention hotline is 427-1500, if you get voicemail call right back. DVI is located at 125 W. Center St. 423-1313. Support groups are held at New Frontier. DVI can always use more volunteers and donations.
