Community Solutions looks to shed light on dark topic
Morgan Hill – It can be a verbal “slap” to the face, the repeated insulting and degradation of a domestic partner, or it can take physical dimensions, with smacks, pushes, kicks, cuts, even escalating to murder, but all domestic violence is about power and control, according to advocates who work with victims.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the South County social services organization Community Solutions is planning to mark the occasion with an event to increase public awareness of this often-hidden crime.
To bring home to the public the domestic violence experience, the center is putting on a play at 6pm, Oct. 26 at the Gavilan College Theatre, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., in Gilroy.
“We typically mark domestic violence awareness month by holding a resource fair, a women’s empowerment day, but we have been talking about doing a play for several years,” said Perla Flores, director of the domestic violence program for Morgan Hill-based social service organization Community Solutions, which offers emergency shelter and supportive services to survivors and their children living in southern Santa Clara and San Benito counties.
“We really recognize that theater and drama have a significant impact on people.
This is a creative and innovative way to get out the information. The community can see what a victim goes through, this makes it really personal.”
The play will portray a small part of what a victim typically endures from a batterer on a day-to-day basis, she said.
“We have tried not to water it down that much, and we have to caution people that there’s strong content, probably not suitable for anyone under age 13,” she said.
One half of the play will be performed in Spanish, the other half in English, she said, but in each segment, it is obvious what is happening so audience members will be able to follow the action even if they don’t understand the language.
Each year Community Solutions typically serves between 450 and 500 victims through its crisis line or as a walk-in.
Each year, there are approximately 77 women and 80 children housed in the organization’s shelter. Legal assistance is provided to more than 100 women per year, and that includes restraining orders and court support.
Community Solutions counselors typically work with at least 50 women and 20 children per year, and prevention and education activities touch more than 500 people each year.
Marilyn Dubil can be reached at 779-4106 ext. 202 or at md****@*************es.com.
