Every nine seconds, a woman in the USA is assaulted or beaten, and the vast majority of these abuses are between intimate partners. Every month in the USA, at least 46 women are shot to death by their former or current intimate partners. In New Jersey, on average, there are 70,000 domestic violence calls every year. Those who work in law enforcement and victims’ services know that many abuses go unreported. The numbers are staggering, shocking, disheartening, and all too real.
In our area, Montclair’s own Start Out Fresh Intervention Advocates (SOFIA) helps victims of domestic violence to move on, and the organization also educates young people about how they can avoid the cycle of violence altogether. Check out the various programs SOFIA offers here.
This September, SOFIA will hold its Fourth Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence in beautiful Canterbury Park. Last year’s walk was a resounding success, with a big crowd of survivors and supporters as well as several eloquent speakers. This year the Grand Marshal is the Reverend Simone Oliver, one of the presenters at last year’s event.
For the second year in a row, Baristanet will be co-sponsoring a team for the SOFIA Walk Against Domestic Violence. If you are interested in joining the Baristanet team for the walk, or if you want to donate towards the team, contact Kristin here. The walking track is easy to moderate, and the park has a playground for distracted children.
Prefer to do your own thing? Get a team together and join the walk on Saturday, September 6th to support this important local organization! Team leaders can sign up to walk for $35, and individuals can sign up for $10. Registration begins at 9 am, and the walk starts at 10 am. See you there!
For more information about SOFIA, the Fourth Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence, or programs in our area, please contact organizers at (862) 251 6791 or email here.