EmpowHERment Series To Help Battered Women
According to Advocates with TESSA, a local group that helps domestic violence victims, they have seen a sharp rise in domestic violence cases in Colorado Springs. The City Crime Rankings 2010-11: Crime in Metropolitan America also shows the city has the highest number of rapes in the state.
In response to these statistics, the Women?s Resource Agency will conduct a 12-part series entitled ?EmpowHERment.?
?Research has found that women who are fleeing situations of trauma and abuse often lack the life skills necessary to prevent re-victimization and homelessness,? said the WRA.
The first meeting of the series was held Thursday, and focused on ?inspiring resiliency and hope in domestic violence survivors.?
?How to take care of yourself personally, how to have a better relationship, how to pamper yourself and feel good again, how to fix your own locks, how to take care of your car and hot to do your financials. Everything is really holistic,? said Aubrey Terry, WRA director of programs.
Women who attended Thursday?s meeting said the class helps to teach them how to support and stand up for themselves.
One woman told KRDO Newschannel 13 the support of the other women is very important, saying, ?they?re going to be closer than friends. They?re going to be like family.?
The classes are free, and are conducted at the WRA?s Dress For Success store in the Citadel Mall.
The class schedule is as follows: Jan. 21, 2012 ? How Not To Be A Victim (2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.) Jan. 26, 2012 ? Healthy Relationships (10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.) Feb. 9, 2012 ? Locks and Security Lights (6:00p.m.-8:00 p.m.) Feb. 23, 2012 ? Peepholes and Drywall (6:00p.m.-8:00 p.m.) Mar. 8, 2012 ? Car Care & Emergency Car Kits Mar. 15, 2012 ? Dollars & Cents (10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.) April 12, 2012 ? Facials & Manicures (10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.) April 26, 2012 ? Make-up & Hair (10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.) May 10, 2012 ? Sonterra Grill (6:00p.m.-8:00 p.m.)
For more information on WRA, got to http://wrainc.org/index.html.
