Groups open doors to preventing domestic violence

by LISA A. JOHNSON Lancaster/Depew Editor

Help battling domestic violence soon may be found in the same manner in which the crime occurs: behind closed doors.

(See editorial on page four)

During a meeting of the Zonta Club of Cheektowaga-Lancaster on Feb. 28, the Family Justice Center of Erie County Inc. presented its plan for the Behind Closed Doors campaign, which the organization hopes to unveil across Erie County in the beginning of October - Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Volunteers would be enlisted to hang posters with the slogan "violence happens behind closed doors, so does help" on the inside of stall doors in women's restrooms in establishments such as restaurants, taverns and libraries, among other places. If a woman viewing the poster needs help or knows somebody who does, she could tear off a small portion of the poster that would contain the Family Justice Center's contact information and place it in her purse or pocket for future use.

In order for the campaign to proceed, the Family Justice Center must raise $4,000 to fund the printing and other costs. Gina Dlugosz, president of the Zonta Club of Cheektowaga-Lancaster, offered her group's support, but also is issuing a challenge to Zonta Clubs and other community service organizations throughout Erie County to help raise the necessary funding.

Dlugosz said the poster campaign follows the Zonta Club's mission of advancing the status of women worldwide.

"I think this project is important," she said.

The Family Justice Center helps domestic violence victims on a daily basis. It was opened in May 2006 with a $1.2 million grant from the Department of Justice - Buffalo was one of 15 cities chosen nationwide for such a grant. The grant has expired, but the organization continues to work independently as a nonprofit organization, Director Linda Ray said.

The center offers one-stop services for victims, coordinating police reports, court orders, emergency housing and medical exams in one place on the 14th floor of 237 Main St. in Buffalo. Having only one place to visit and having to tell the story of abuse only once makes the process of escaping an offender easier for victims, Ray said.

The center also offers translation in 160 languages, child care with foster grandmothers so children don't have to hear talk of violence, transportation money and high-tech photography of injuries that serve as evidence. Ray said such evidence has resulted in a 20 percent higher conviction rate throughout Erie County because many offenders plead guilty when faced with the evidence.

While the center is based in Buffalo and 87 percent of its 1,200 clients are city residents, Ray said the service is open to all residents of Erie County. She said many instances of domestic violence are going unreported because those living in the suburbs do not know about the Family Justice Center. She also fears there's a false perception that domestic violence doesn't happen as much in the suburbs because many of the clients live in Buffalo.

"Do not think this is not happening in Cheektowaga and Lancaster - in the suburbs," she said.

With one in four women and one in nine men being sexually or physically abused by a partner in their lifetime, Ray said it's time to treat domestic violence more seriously.

"Ten of us will have been abused in our lifetime if those statistics were used in this room," she said to the 40 women who gathered to hear her presentation.

She added that if one in four or one in nine people were afflicted with a disease, "there'd be a clinic in every neighborhood."

Community service organizations interested in helping the Zonta Club raise money for the poster campaign can call Dlugosz at 662-1900 ext. 151.

Those in need of assistance in escaping domestic violence can call the Family Justice Center at 558-SAFE. Others interested in learning more about the organization, touring the facility or volunteering can call 558-5272 or visit the Web site www.fjcsafe.org.