On a solemn and breezy night in Gary, a concerned group of community residents gathered to learn more about the effects of Domestic violence within the community. The Brothers of the ALPHA CHI Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated partnered with Christ Baptist Church in the Miller section of city to illuminate the horrors of acts of violence perpetrated upon Men, Women and Children in the community.
In 2015 a Presidential Proclamation named October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Violence has negatively impacted: women, men, and children of every age, ethnicity and religion. Research has found that nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men in the United States have suffered severe physical violence by an intimate partner.1 Victims are normally deprived of their independence, freedoms, and safekeeping. Most victims are confronted with critical threats to their health and security. “During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we reaffirm our dedication to forging an America where no one suffers the hurt and hardship that domestic violence causes and we recommit to doing everything in our power to uphold the basic human right to be free from violence and abuse,” stated President Obama in issuing his proclamation.
The annual two-hour Domestic Violence program was hosted by the Alpha Chi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi in coalition with Christ Baptist Church. The “Men & Women for Christ” along with the Men of the Alpha Chi Chapter helped to spotlight the critical dangers of Domestic Violence with in the City of Gary and Nationwide. Guest panelist Attorney Bernard Carter of the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office spoke about the need for “Community Education”. “These education programs are the key to teaching the Youth of the dangers of Domestic violence,” said Prosecutor Carter. He spoke of how American culture has been a critical part of the way men and women perceive the roles of sexual conduct daily; with the hope that “Education Verses Litigation” becomes the focus of Violence Prevention Education for men, women and youth in the community.
Bro. Sean Jones of the Gary Police Department spoke about the adverse effects of Domestic Violence within the community. Citing the horrific statistics of Domestic Violence in relation to the crime rates associated these acts of violence. He spoke of different programs that were available for men, women and youth in the community. Panelist Reverends Mary Watkins and Elnora Walters spoke of the role of the Church and Community in helping those that suffer from Domestic Violence. Rev. Watkins past President National Commission for Women and the current Chair of the Gary Commission for Women spoke of the history of efforts to address and eradicate Domestic Violence in Locally and Nationally. She also spoke of the Gary Commission for Women was established in 1970 to improve the conditions for Women in the city; the Gary Commission for Women operates different shelter programs that specialize in aiding Women that suffer from: emergency homelessness, domestic violence, sexual assault and long term transitional facilities for women and children.
All in attendance of the Alpha Chi’s Domestic Awareness/Prevention Program left with a better understanding of the far-reaching effects of Domestic Violence within the Community. The community residents that gathered learned more about the devastating effects of Domestic violence within the community. The Brothers of the ALPHA CHI Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and Christ Baptist Church helped to address the horrors of acts of violence perpetrated upon Men, Women and Children in the community that suffer from Domestic Violence.
