This year, domestic violence calls to the Brockton Police Department have increased by a startling 57% while calls to Brockton Family and Community Resources have increased by 40% since January 2009. Additionally, Governor Patrick issued a public health advisory on domestic violence in June 2008 to address the nearly 300% increase in domestic violence homicides in Massachusetts over the three year period, 2005-2007.
The Walk for Victims’ Safety is about community members supporting each other and saying NO to violence. The 4K walk will go through DW Field Park in Brockton, beginning at the Raymond School at 125 Oak Street in Brockton, MA 02301. Participants are encouraged to form a team of co-workers, neighbors, family members and friends to take the Walk for Victims’ Safety.
Teams name themselves, wear matching t-shirts and compete with others for prizes and recognition. Walkers/runners set a goal for the amount they would like to raise and find family, friends and associates as sponsors. The morning of the event there will be breakfast snacks, dj music and a program that will include warm-ups led by a local fitness trainer. There will also be raffle prizes.
And, several clients of Brockton Family and Community Resources will have craft tables set up the morning of the walk. They are jewelry makers, quilters and sewers who have worked hard to take back their lives.
Walk for Victims’ Safety sponsor forms are available from BFCR at 18 Newton Street, Brockton (call 508.583.6498)
Call BFCR to be mailed sponsorship forms.
Whether you’re walking or running and whether you’re an individual or part of a team, join us the morning of October 3, 2009 at the Raymond School. Sign up with BFCR before October 3, 2009 to ensure participation.
BFCR is proud to receive the generous support of Bay State Gas Company, Webster Bank and Boston Medical Center/HealthNet -- and to have Robert D. Twomey, President MA/RI Region of Webster Bank as the Walk’s Honorary Chair.
Other Walk Sponsors include: A-Team Electricity;
Brockton Family and Community Resources provides an array of programs for victims of trauma including violence at home. Some of these are: Child Witness to Violence Project; SAFEBED - emergency community Safe Home Shelter Project for battered women and their
children; Cape Verdean/Portuguese Project for victims of domestic violence; Supervised visitation centers; Parenting Support Services; Civilian police advocacy program; responsible fatherhood program; battered women's advocacy project; community education and training; and internships and volunteer recruitment, training and placement.
