Every nine seconds, a woman is beaten in the United States, according to Washington State Department of Health statistics.*
“Just like any other county, we have those problems and we need somewhere for people to come and get help,” said Anita Castle, executive director of the nonprofit Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) of the San Juan Islands.
The organization provides free, confidential assistance for survivors of sexual assault, child sexual abuse and sexual harassment, as well as domestic violence victims.
Community members will soon have a chance to help support DVSAS in its mission by attending a Saturday, Sept. 25 concert by LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends.
“She’s been thinking bout leaving him forever … It ain’t easy trying making plans for her escape tonight’s the night she’s gonna spread her wings and fly…” read the lyrics from one of LeRoy Bell’s favorite songs, “He Can’t Hold Her.”
“I wrote it about a woman trying to get up the courage to get away,” Bell said.
Barbara Courtney, Orcas Center’s Executive and Artistic Director, said the Seattle musician is coming to the island for a nominal fee.
“It’s a cause they felt they could get behind,” she said. “He is a defender of women’s rights and a family’s rights to safety, and they’re all just really nice guys.”
“There are some causes that are too dear to us to ignore,” said Bell. “The more it’s brought out and the more people that get behind it, the better.”
Bell offers a mellow mix of rock and soul with fellow band mates Terry Morgan on bass and Davis Martin on drums.
“He’s an incredible songwriter, but also has a really great rock-soul funk beat that’s really infectious,” Courtney said.
Bell will perform at Orcas Center at 7:30 p.m. The evening will include a Madrona Room reception with the artists featuring finger foods and a no-host bar.
“I like to touch base with fans and people that have never heard us before,” Bell said. “It’s just a nice time to kind of bond with the audience.”
Tickets are $30, and $25 for Orcas Center members, available at http://www.orcascenter.org/ or at the door. For a sampling of Bell’s music, visit http://www.leroybell.com/.
* http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/emstrauma/vaw/data_stats.htm).
About DVSAS
DVSAS of the San Juan Islands is a Washington state certified domestic violence program offering 24-hour crisis lines and safe houses. It helps people develop personal safety plans and obtain protection or anti-harassment orders, providing advocacy and ongoing counseling for victims.
“It’s instrumental in our county that we have these services available to victims that may never call into law enforcement,” Castle said.
The 24-hour crisis lines are Orcas: 376-1234; Lopez: 468-4567; San Juan: 378-2345. The number for the county-wide teen advocate is 376-5979.
Despite the overwhelming statistics in regard to abuse of young women, Castle said a significant percentage of victims seeking protection are actually men. A large number of the elderly are also affected by abuse each year.
The face of domestic violence
John Doe was seven years old when he was raped in a restaurant restroom by a man who had just been talking with his mother at the counter. Because the man had threatened both John’s and his mother’s life, John never told anyone. Ever.
When John was 45 years old, his life appeared to be falling apart. He was always angry and lost his temper frequently. He drank heavily, lost his job, and his marriage was ‘on the rocks.’
He finally told his buddy Sam, after several drinks, what happened, saying he did not know what to do. Sam told him that he could go to DVSAS, an agency that helps people who have been hurt in that way. John remembered that he had heard of it and said, “But that place is for women!” Sam said that sexual assault happens to everyone, and the free and confidential help is available to men, too.
John made the call and went to the office. He was welcomed by an advocate and led to a small, cozy counseling room, where he completed a basic registration form and was assured that all information is kept totally confidential. He was assigned a number to be entered into a state database that helps to track services and funds the agency. He was then informed of confidentiality rules and asked to sign a form.
John was then invited to tell as much or as little of his story as he wished. The advocate listened carefully without interrupting, except for a few questions to clarify that she understood him. She didn’t act upset or express any judgment about his past or current situation, but acknowledged that it took courage to tell his story. When he was finished, she told him she thought he qualified for specialized services from a DVSAS therapist. She left momentarily and came back saying that her director had approved him for services, and that he could contact any of the six DVSAS therapists’ for 12 sessions of specialized services.
What happened to John? He worked hard in therapy. He has gotten himself and his life back together. Although he lives off-island now, he still checks in with his therapist about four times a year. He’s grateful for the support and help he received from DVSAS.
Submitted by Anita Castle, DVSAS executive director.
