Mall Walkers Raise Awareness of Family Violence
November 2, 2011
By Diane A Rhodes

Visitors to the Hemet Valley Mall on Saturday were asked to Walk a Mile to End Family Abuse by members of the Center Against Sexual Assault and the Family Justice Center.

The event was organized to bring awareness to senior safety and family violence, the goal being that walking a mile in the shoes of victims means understanding the challenges and impact of family violence. Four laps around the interior of the mall constituted one mile, but many continued to walk and share their experiences with those around them.

C.A.S.A. Executive Director Mary Deanna Cozart said the event was about making visitors aware of violence in the community and to show them how they can more actively take a stand.

Cozart said the nonprofit’s 42 volunteer advocates receive 16 hours of training beyond what the state requires for their certification as rape crisis counselors.

“Those additional hours are based on things specific to our valley, which provides even more value,” she said.

C.A.S.A. has been serving southwest Riverside County since 1982 but started its Senior Safety program this past summer.

“Domestic violence crosses all ages and boundaries,” said Tiffiny Hays, volunteer coordinator for C.A.S.A. “Sexual assault and domestic violence are so intermingled that it’s hard to separate.”

Members of Trauma Intervention Programs Inc., or TIP, are called out by first responders and assist with survivors of all kind of situations until they can get a support system in place.

“We’re seeing more and more domestic violence. There is also an upswing in suicide,” said Gina L. Magee, TIP’s executive director. “I think the economy has a lot to do with it.”

She said about 45 volunteers are currently trained to handle any traumatic situation and knowledgeable about where people can be directed to continue to receive assistance.

“We’re a tool in the toolbox of the system,” Magee said.

Cutouts around the mall carried stories and statistics on family violence. One in three teenagers is affected by domestic violence, and estimates indicate as many as 2 million Americans age 65 or older may have been injured, exploited or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection.

“We are part of the district attorney’s office and provide victim services for domestic violence, elder abuse and sexual assault,” said Jeanette Krempin, with the Family Justice Center. “We work with other agencies in the area. We are starting to see more financial abuse against the elderly, or at least it is being reported a lot more.”

Other vendors included members of the Little Tao Dragon Martial & Healing Arts studio in Hemet, who offered demonstrations of Tai Chi and more.

The center is hosting a free safety and awareness workshop for seniors on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Seating is limited.

For reservations call 951-791-0680. The studio is at 137 S. Harvard St. in Hemet. More information is at www.littletaodragon.com.