Safe Haven takes back the night

MILFORD — The newly reorganized victims' advocacy center, Safe Haven, led a "Take Back the Night" program on April 28.
April is designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Approximately 40 individuals gathered in the courtyard of Good Shepard Episcopalian Church on a beautiful evening to enjoy a program of music, poetry, victims' stories and commentary from both Safe Haven Director Tamara Chant and Pike County Commissioner Steve Guccini. The evening ended with a March around the Broad St. section of Milford Borough with participants holding signs and chanting to end both the domestic violence and the stigma that continues to surround it.
Outreach Coordinator Kayla Bolger emceed the event and introduced the attendees to a variety of speakers and one musical performer who played one piece by Amy Winehouse, the deceased singer who was a victim of domestic violence herself.
Father Van of Good Shepard welcomed the group and Guccini spoke of his role of being a longtime advocate of abused children within the court system by prosecuting those cases for more than eight years within Pike County and his advocacy of victims of any abuse.
Chant spoke of Safe Haven's reorganization and the challenges that are being faced as a way to make positive changes within the center and the community as a whole. She stated that one of their mottoes was to have a "road map for ourselves." Her goal is to create a safe place to call and visit.
A full list of Safe Haven's extensive services, as well as their emergency services, can be found at their website, http://shopcempowers.org/.
Two victims of prior domestic abuse, physical and emotional, both in their families of origin and afterward in their own domestic lives, shared their difficult and harrowing stories.
These are all too common and often still cloaked in shame. However, the ultimate stories are those of the triumphs and strength and ultimately the ability to use negative experiences as a basis to assist others who find themselves in seemingly impossible situations.
One speaker, and now an advocate within Safe Haven, noticed a deputy sheriff who always took it upon himself too ensure the safety of women seeking Orders of Protection against abusers in court by walking each one to their car after the proceedings. The two are now married.
Drivers honked their support as the group marched around the courthouse and back along Broad St. to the church with the program ending on an uplifting and empowering note. Take Back the Night rootsThe "Take Back the Night" movement has its roots internationally in the late 1970s, when women were still routinely victimized by society for "asking for it" when they were the victims of sexual violence. It was usually simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or accused of dressing provocatively or other such innocent behaviors. The movement grew over time and led to international marches and expanded to include all victims of domestic violence as well as attacks by persons unknown to the victim.
Help is availableAnyone experiencing domestic violence in any form is encouraged to reach out to the center for assistance. Clients are treated with complete confidentiality and those in immediate danger are placed in safe houses. Help is always available to those in need in Pike County.