Taking Aim at Domestic Violence: Justice Center to Hang Posters to Raise Awareness
December 3, 2011

Domestic violence doesn’t necessarily get worse at the holidays — though people often think that’s true.

Rather, said Mary Travers Murphy at the Family Justice Center of Erie County, violence in the home is a problem 365 days of the year.

Moreover, Murphy said, it’s often a deeply buried secret.

That’s why the Family Justice Center, aided by funding from the Verizon Foundation, plans to hang some 4,000 posters all over Erie County, to draw attention to the issue and reach victims while they shop, exercise, and go about their daily lives.

“It’s a myth that things get worse at the holidays,” said Murphy, executive director of the Main Street organization.

“What we’re concerned about is this: every other day of the year.”

The project, called “Behind Closed Doors,” will see posters hung in ladies’ room stalls in area supermarkets including Wegmans, as well as big-box stores and other gathering places. It will place posters in restrooms at Erie Community College’s South Campus and Buffalo State College, as well as in area doctor’s offices, gyms, and hair salons.

“What better way to reach women than when they’re in a bathroom stall?,” said Murphy.

The posters will ask questions about women’s lives and relationships, and provide information on domestic violence, said Murphy.

They will also include tear-off portions that women can carry away with them, with Family Justice Center contact information.

Murphy said the idea — which was developed as a brainstorm between Murphy, FJC staff and Murphy’s family members—came from the realization that many women who are victims might be too intimidated or fearful to pick up a brochure or make a call from a home phone. Women also can be frightened to enter a shelter or even seek online resources.

“It’s a very difficult step to take to reach out for help,” said Murphy. “Victims are scared to death.”

“Domestic violence,” she said, “is all about power — and control.”

The new initiative is being funded by a $15,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation.

The money will cover the cost of 4,000 posters to start, plus other outreach and ambassador programs run by the FJC, said Murphy.

A Verizon spokeswoman said the company foundation was excited to help out with the new effort.

“Domestic violence prevention and awareness is one of the Verizon Foundation’s primary funding priorities,” said Maureen Rasp-Glose, Verizon’s director of government and external affairs in Western New York, in a statement released by the FJC.

“The Family Justice Center has a strong track record of success, providing a valuable service to reach out to the community to assist families impacted by domestic violence.”

The effort is also being aided by local Zonta clubs, a businesswomens’ organization, students from Mount Mercy Academy, and others, said Murphy.

The Family Justice Center of Erie County is located in downtown Buffalo, at 237 Main St. It encompasses 13 on-site partners, ranging from doctors to police and sheriff’s officials to attorneys, crisis counselors and translators.

The Center provides one-stop services to victims of violence and their families, for free.