This is an article about an agency that helps survivors of domestic violence, even during the holidays.
Annie Bishop / KXLY4 Reporter
Last updated: Wednesday, November 22nd, 2006 09:17:55 PM
COEUR D'ALENE -- The holiday season is a time to celebrate, but for many the hustle and bustle can be very stressful. In some cases, that stress can lead to domestic violence. But the Women’s Center in Coeur d’Alene is helping those victims of domestic violence get through the holidays.
On a table sits a pumpkin pie, hot chocolate, cranberry dressing and a turkey. It’s everything that Ann Chatfield, program director at the Women’s Center, needs to piece together the last five Thanksgiving meals for domestic violence survivors.
“These women are survivors,” Chatfield says. “They’re not victims anymore. They are survivors.”
Most are single mothers, on a limited income, who have left a violent relationship. The meals are a reminder that they can stay independent. This year, the Women’s Center delivered Thanksgiving meals 18 families.
“The kids are just excited,” says Chatfield, “Mom's excited. Lots of tears and hugs, thanks yous, just great gratitude.”
During the holiday season, Chatfield also helps women, and some men, reaching out for help for the very first time.
A call for help goes into the Women’s Center every four and a half minutes. During the holiday season, that stays the same. However, the calls are more violent and intense.
“Some of the calls we’re getting right now...in the past few days,” Chatfield says, are, ‘I feel like I'm walking on egg shells and I don't know what to do. I don't have anywhere to go.’”
Chatfield says the holidays can put more stress in a relationship where control and power are already an issue. The combination can quickly turn into physical violence. That’s when the center will get a call.
“Things are happening fast and furious in these homes,” Chatfield says, “and people really need to be safe in their home)
If it’s not physical, she says the abused will wait until after the holidays to ask for help. Chatfield says the center sees a 25 percent spike in calls after Christmas.
“It's a very dangerous situation, very dangerous,” she says, “because many people are killed because of domestic violence in their homes.”
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