“…I was first physically abused by my husband when I was nine months pregnant. While I sat in the glider rocker my grandmother gave me as a shower gift, he attacked me during a pretty low-key argument about something I can’t remember. He charged at me from the other room, wrapped his hands around my neck and squeezed, pinning me against the high-back seat of the rocker. I was in shock. But, Thankfully and despite my giant pregnant stomach, I was able to awkwardly get my feet up and push him off me using the momentum of the rocker as power. He fell back ... then ran from our home. At that moment, I became one of every 4 women in America who has been abused by their partner…”
--Survivor of Domestic Violence & Peaceful Paths Support Group Participant
About Peaceful Paths
Peaceful Paths is the certified domestic abuse network that serves survivors of domestic violence in Alachua, Bradford, and Union counties. Peaceful Paths provides a wide range of free and confidential services including emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis helpline, victim advocacy, children’s programming, education and training, counseling and support groups, community awareness and intervention, and violence prevention programs.
Since the early 1970’s, our mission has been to promote relationships free of violence and control by providing a safe place to receive intervention, advocacy, and education services using prevention strategies and community partnerships. Last year we provided support groups and advocacy for over 875 clients, like the participant who is quoted above. Our helpline logged over 2,000 calls for 1,670 people and we provided over 7600 shelter nights.
Please consider giving the gift of hope during The Amazing Give and ensure that Peaceful Paths continues to meet the needs of victims and survivors in our community.
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