By Brenda Chrystie

Domestic violence affects people from all racial, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. It is a serious public health and safety problem with many consequences for individuals and families regardless of ethnic or racial backgrounds.

For the population in general, we know that on average more than three women a day are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the United States.

Here’s a story told by a Burien woman, Suzette:

“In Aug. 2003 my son was born. What had started as an occasional slap or a push, turned into a constant episode, what I referred to as his “meltdowns."

I was ashamed, I was horrified and I was hopeless. He had stated many times that I'd be dead if I ever tried to leave. He made it clear that he had “tools” available and that nobody would ever find me. It was more than realistic -- it was a living nightmare. I believed him.

I tried to stay with him, kowtowing to everything he said and did, until the night he took me hostage and kept me prisoner for hours -- until mid-afternoon the next day when I was able to make my escape to safety with my son. He kept us (my son and I) physically separated so escaping was impossible. I'd never leave him (my son).

Shortly after, a friend of mine at the office told me about DAWN. I didn't trust or believe anybody; I'd been betrayed by everybody. Those closest to me were saying things like "Why would anybody stay in a situation like that?" They never understood. I couldn't leave. I'd be dead and so would my son. So many people said so many bad things about me...believing him, not me. It broke my heart.

Fast forward to today. My son and I moved to our own place, made our own friends, started making a life for ourselves. Made great friends.

There are not enough agencies like DAWN. DAWN advocates helped me find a new start, and now I have a new family. I am remarried. I will not lie, the nightmares are still there, but I can honestly say it's been months and months since a nightmare.”

Domestic violence creates a crisis in the lives of survivors and their families, with their range of needs and options changing over time. Survivors may need safety planning, emotional support, access to public benefits, job training, emergency shelter, protection orders, legal assistance, housing, immigration assistance, child care and a host of other services.

Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN) has been providing a safe haven for victims of domestic violence in south King County since 1980 when two concerned citizens recognized the need and took action. Since then, more than 365,000 people have found safety and a new violence-free beginning with the help of the continuum of community based resources offered by DAWN.

DAWN’s mission is to lead and support efforts in south King County communities to end domestic violence by providing the critical services and education for survivors to make informed choices about their future and engaging communities to raise awareness and take action.

DAWN is committed to providing comprehensive, culturally fluent, empowerment-based programs and services for survivors and their children and is the primary provider of free services to domestic violence victims in south King County.

Services include: the only 24-hour crisis line in south King County; a continuum of housing programs including south King County’s only emergency confidential shelter and Extended Stay Transitional Housing program; community-based advocacy in English and Spanish, legal advocacy; support groups in English and Spanish; mental health services; a Kids’ Club program for children and youth affected by domestic violence; domestic violence prevention education to local middle and high school youth, and four 50-hour DV trainings to over 90 community volunteers and professionals each year.

Because someone you know needs DAWN, YOU’RE INVITED to breakfast on Tuesday, April 17, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center in SeaTac. This year’s event committee has a wonderful program planned with good food, great speakers and fabulous company:

Emcee & Honorary Chair-- Dan Satterberg, King County Prosecutor
Keynote Speaker--Lawyer Milloy, Retired Seahawks Safety & Super Bowl XXXVI champion
Special Guest-- Maurice Classen, King County Deputy Prosecutor

Please join us as we share how each of us can support efforts in south King County communities to end domestic violence. This year’s raffle prize is a weekend getaway to Hastings House on Saltspring Island, BC. Suggested donation at the event is $150. Brought to you in part by our wonderful sponsors: Verizon Wireless, Costco Wholesale, Greenpoint Technologies, and Hastings House.

RSVP by calling 425-656-4305 ext. 261 or by emailing sharon@dawnonline.org