We appreciate you, Pat!
Pat’s tenure as a Women Aware Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) volunteer began 17 years ago. When Pat saw a notice on her community tv channel asking for volunteers to work with domestic violence victims, she stepped up. With a background in counseling, Pat saw it as an opportunity to do something to help her community. “People deserve to live a life without fear,” said Pat. “Men and women deserve to be treated with respect.”
As a member of Women Aware’s DVRT, Pat is a trained volunteer who is on call to meet victims of domestic violence with compassion and empathy at their local police station following an incident of abuse. Called out by police, DVRT volunteers provide crisis intervention services that include emotional support, safety planning, and information on domestic violence and community resources. In her meeting with a victim, Pat chooses her words carefully. “I use the term ‘survivor’ with them rather than victim. When someone is a survivor, they are in a position of power, not powerless…Many of these brave individuals come to the police without someone with them. Some bring their children which adds another layer of fear and concern.” Pat affirms the survivor’s decision to not put up with the abuse and talks with them about not blaming themselves.
The best part of Pat’s volunteer service is watching a survivor take the first step to reclaim their lives. One interaction that stayed with Pat happened years ago. At the police station, Pat said to the individual, “It’s not your fault.” The survivor began to cry as no one had ever told her that before.
In addition to volunteering with Women Aware, Pat is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She enjoys genealogy, attending plays, travel, collecting recipes from different historic time periods, and volunteering for events at Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania.
It was a beautiful day at Johnson Park, Piscataway as runners, walkers, sponsors, volunteers and supporters turned out strong to support victim-survivors of domestic violence and their families at Women Aware’s Moving Beyond Abuse 5K & Charity Walk. “You are saving lives,” said Women Aware CEO Phyllis Yonta.
