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Community Events and Outreach
White Ribbon Campaign signing at Carver High School
On April 10, 2007 Carver High School held their first White Ribbon Campaign signing. South Shore Women's Resource Center coordinated the event with the help of
Mike Fraccolossi, the Captains Council and Principal Scott Knief from the high school.
The White Ribbon was presented in one assembly which included the student body from grades nine and ten. The assembly was facilitated by Paul Chiano for the Sheriff's Department and Kathy Spear for the South Shore Women's Resource Center.
The students were addressed by Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz, Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald, Jr., and Representative Susan Williams-Gifford. They each encouraged the young men in the audience to speak out against violence against women. Carver Community Policing Officer Heidi Bassett and Hingham Deputy Chief Taylor Mills were on hand to assist the presentation.
White Ribbon Campaign signing at Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School
On February 1, 2007 Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School held their first White Ribbon Campaign signing. Brockton Family & Community Resources coordinated the event with the help of the Bridgewater Coalition Against Community Violence (BCACV), Gay/Straight Alliance, Student Council, and advisors Shirley Wood and Barbara Norman from the high school.
The White Ribbon was presented in two assemblies which included the Sophomore and Senior classes. Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz addressed the student body encouraging young men to speak out against violence against women.
Representatives for the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Bridgewater and Raynham Police Departments, Bridgewater Fire Department, Bridgewater State College, and many other local agencies were on hand to assist in presentation.
January 2007, V.E.T.O. Events
White Ribbon Campaign signing at Norwell High School
On January 24, 2007 Norwell High School held their first White Ribbon Campaign signing. South Shore Women’s Resource Center coordinated the event with the help of Matt Lantier and Principal Matt Keagan from the high school.
The White Ribbon was presented in one assembly which included the entire student body. Hingham Deputy Chief Tab Mills and South Shore Women’s Resource Center’s Kathy Spear addressed the student body encouraging young men to speak out against violence against women.
December 2006, V.E.T.O. Events
White Ribbon Campaign signing at Rockland High School
On December 20, 2006 Rockland High School held their first White Ribbon Campaign signing. Brockton Family & Community Resources coordinated the event with the help of Susan Lombardi from the high school.
The White Ribbon was presented in two assemblies which included the Freshman and Sophomore classes. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department’s Paul Chiano and Brockton Family & Community Resource’s Tammy Mello addressed the student body encouraging young men to speak out against violence against women.
White Ribbon Campaign signing at Hull High School
On December 14, 2006 Hull High School held their first White Ribbon Campaign signing. South Shore Women’s Resource Center coordinated the event with the help of Lauren Mathison, Kyle Trombly and Principal Jonathan Ford from the high school.
The White Ribbon was presented in one assembly which included the entire student body. Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department’s Paul Chiano and South Shore Women’s Resource Center’s Kathy Spear addressed the student body encouraging young men to speak out against violence against women.
November 2006, V.E.T.O. Events
White Ribbon Banner is carried in the Brockton Holiday Parade
On November 25th the Brockton Mayors Office carried their White Ribbon Campaign Banner in the Brockton Holiday Parade.
White Ribbon Campaign signing at the Brockton City Hall
On November 21st the Brockton Mayor James Harrington sponsored a White Ribbon Campaign signing at City Hall. The Mayor encouraged male Brockton City employees and community members to take the White Ribbon Pledge, sign the banner and wear a White Ribbon to show their support of the initiative. Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, Mayor James Harrington and Bill McCoy from Brockton Family and Community Resources spoke at the event.
White Ribbon Campaign signing at Duxbury Town Meeting
On November 13th the Duxbury Chapter of No Place For Hate, South Shore Women’s Resource Center and the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office held a White Ribbon Campaign signing at the Duxbury Town meeting. All male attendees were asked to take the White Ribbon pledge, sign the banner and wear a White Ribbon to show their support.
Brockton Public School Counseling Staff In-Service Training
The Brockton Area V.E.T.O. members presented at an In-Service training for the Brockton Public School K-12 Counseling staff. The topics covered Internet Safety, Teen Dating Violence and Children who Witness Violence. Kathleen Marchand from the Brockton School Department coordinated the training.
October 2006, V.E.T.O. Events Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Cell Phone Drive
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz is sponsoring the annual cell phone drive for the month of October. Boxes have been placed in all of the courts in Plymouth County, local police departments, Good Samaritan Hospital, and Brockton Hospital. Individuals may drop off their old phones in one of these boxes, and Verizon will refurbish the phones.
The phones will be programmed to call 911, and will have 3000 minutes available. The phones will be given to battered women who are in need of a phone to assist in securing their safety.
For more information about this project, please contact: Tamara Spinney at the District Attorney’s Office at 508-894-6312.
Domestic Violence Vigil in Brockton remembers the Victims
Brockton Family and Community Resources, Project F.A.C.E. and the Central United Methodist Church are sponsoring a domestic violence vigil on October 16, 2006 at the Central United Methodist Church in Brockton. The event will be held at 4pm. A resource center will be available at 3:00 p.m., prior to the services.
The sponsors of the event are Brockton Family and Community Resources, Project Faith, Action and Community Education in Brockton (F.A.C.E.) and the Central United Methodist Church.
For Further information, please call Donna Costa at 508-583-3830 or Meredith Magee at 508-583-6498.
Save the Shelter Fundraiser
Womansplace Crisis Center, a program of Health Care of Southeastern Massachusetts will be presenting on Domestic Violence for Community Connections of Brockton. The event will take place at 950 West Chestnut Street between the hours of 6pm and 8pm.
Womansplace has lost one third of its D.S.S. funding for their shelter program. To save the shelter from closing, Womansplace will be holding a fundraising drive on Saturday, October 21st. Donate $1.00 as your contribution to keep the Shelter doors open. The locations of drive include Brockton High School parking lot and the Womansplace offices at 950 West Chestnut Street in Brockton.
For more information on the drive and additional “Drive” locations, please call (508) 588-2045.
Brockton Post Office joins V.E.T.O. in the Fight against Domestic Violence
On October 26, 2006, Postmaster Charles Williams recognized District Attorney
Timothy J. Cruz, Brockton Mayor, James Harrington and Womansplace Crisis Center Advocate Adrienne Lopez for their efforts in helping raise awareness about domestic violence by making a special Stop Family Violence semi-postal stamp presentations.
The Brockton Area V.E.T.O. members provided resources tables from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm in the Brockton Main Post Office on Commercial Street.
May 2006, V.E.T.O. Events
White Ribbon Campaign signing was held at Duxbury High School
On May 25, 2006 Duxbury High School held their first White Ribbon Campaign signing. Harry Katz, from the Duxbury chapter of No Place for Hate, coordinated the event with the help of South Shore Women’s Resource Center.
The White Ribbon was presented in two separate assemblies which included the Freshman through Senior classes. Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz and Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald addressed the student body encouraging young men to speak out against violence against women.
April 2006, V.E.T.O. Events
National Crime Victim’s Rights Week
National Victims Right Week was held this past April 23-29, 2006. The week is dedicated to honor, remember victims of crime as well as those who work with them. V.E.T.O. members organized a week of events to raise public awareness about victim’s rights and the needs and challenges that victims encounter in the aftermath of the crime.
Under the direction of Tamara Spinney, Outreach Coordinator for Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, a week of events took place. The week started with a dedication ceremony held in Plymouth to dedicate a park bench with the inscription to honor the victims. The event displayed the silent witness project, and ended with a candlelight vigil to honor and remember those victims in Plymouth County. With the silent witness project in background and the cold mist of the weather gave a solemn quietude that brought home the reality of domestic violence and the continued struggle to stop the violence.
The following day, April 24th, another vigil took place in Brockton at the Crescent St. and Montello St. Park. The memorial dedication placed a park bench with the same inscription to honor the lives lost and impacted by crime. The theme of Victims Rights Week was strength and unity, emphasizing the efforts of victim services providers and the calling to communities to join together to assisting the survivors of crime.
The Week ended with Victims Rights Fairs that were held at both the Hanover and Kingston Malls. Local victim rights agencies, including area police departments, attended the event by placing resource and information on tables to assist victims of crime. Both events were well attended, with many shoppers stopping to take note of the event and read the material offered.
March 2006, V.E.T.O. Events
Old Colony YMCA Seventeenth Annual Youth Conference
On March 10th, 2006 the V.E.T.O. members participated in the YMCA annual Youth Conference at Bridgewater State College. Kathleen Hoffman from South Shore Women’s Resource Center presented a workshop on Teen Dating Violence, Adrienne Lopez from Womansplace Crisis Center presented on the prevalence of Sexual Assault in our society. Tammy Mello from Brockton Family and Community Resources, Tamara Spinney from the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office and Terri Maxfield from Womansplace Crisis Center co-presented a workshop on the Tools and Resources available to teachers regarding domestic violence and sexual assault.
February 2006, V.E.T.O. Events
White Ribbon Campaign signing was held at Plymouth South High School
On February 14th, 2006 Theresa Dorr and the student P.R.I.D.E. group coordinated their annual White Ribbon Signing. Plymouth County District Attorney, Timothy J. Cruz, Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph McDonald, Attorney Michael Pieroni addressed the student body. Ben Atherton-Zeman presented his one act play which was followed by a school White Ribbon Campaign signing.
November 2005, V.E.T.O. Events
Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Conference
Womansplace Crisis Center hosted the Brockton Area Sexual Assault Response Team symposium on November 16, 2005. The symposium was designed to share important information and the latest updates of the response to and care of survivors of sexual assault with other Brockton Area professionals. The symposium attracted over 100 participants and was held at the Thorny Lea Golf Club.
October 2005, V.E.T.O. Events Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Cell Phone Drive 2005
Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz sponsored a cell phone drive for the month of October. Boxes were placed in all of the courts in Plymouth County as well as each of the local police departments. Individuals dropped off their old phones in one of these boxes, and Verizon refurbished the phones. The phones were programmed to call 911, and will have 3000 minutes available. The phones were given to battered women who are in need of a phone to assist in securing their safety.
Domestic Violence Vigil in Brockton remembers the Victims
V.E.T.O. members and other community organizations sponsored a domestic violence vigil on October 2, 2005 in Brockton.
The sponsors included Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz, Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald, Jr., the Christ Congregational Church, Highpoint Treatment Center, Brockton Family and Community Resources, South Shore Women’s Resource Center, Womansplace Crisis Center, Project Faith, Action and Community Education in Brockton.
One of the speakers at the event was Reverend Rachel Keefe, from the United Church of Christ. She spoke about surviving domestic violence. Reverend Keefe told the group that she survived domestic violence and is now working to help others. Reverend Keefe told the group that she endured domestic violence as a child and then verbal threats from her husband of more than two years. “My family was complacent in that you don’t talk about it, nobody talked about it”. Reverend Keefe further stated that in order to survive she needed to get help.
Reverend Keefe was one of a dozen people who took part in the interfaith service that was held at the Christ Congregation Church on Pleasant Street in Brockton. The vigil was to mourn those who have died and honor those who have survived domestic violence.
Some of those in attendance stood to name the local victims that had been killed in previous years, including Cheryl A. Wilson, who was killed in 1995 by her estranged husband Brockton Police Officer Curtis Wilson.
Ruth Zakarin, Director of Domestic Violence Services at Brockton Family and Community Resources spoke to the attendees urging the community to become intolerant of domestic violence. She stated that Brockton Family and Community Resources provide services to up to one hundred women per month. She maintained that the problem is not going away. The violence that is being perpetrated has increased in its severity. “Women have lost their hearing as a result of the beatings, and children have been injured trying to defend their mothers”. Public awareness has increased reporting, but more still needs to be done.
Domestic violence is an issue that continues to plague many homes and families. According to the most recent report by Peace at Home, a Human Rights organization in Boston, there was sixteen domestic violence homicides in Massachusetts from October, 2004 through September 2005. The number of homicides in Massachusetts has not changed substantially in the past ten years. While services for domestic violence increased during the 1990’s, budgetary cuts and level funding have impacted on local agencies in recent years. Some organizations have had to cut back on staffing, but continue to provide the same services, fewer staff, with an increase in individuals seeking services. The need for community support and societal change continues. Through continued efforts and strategies, advocates and community leaders continue to strive to educate the community about domestic violence and give voice to all of the victims and survivors.
September 2005, V.E.T.O. Events
Ben Atherton-Zeman presents his one act play, “Voices of Men,” at Norwell High School
On September 26, 2005, Ben Atherton– Zeman, nationally recognized activist and presenter, came to Norwell High School to present his one man play, “Voices of Men”.
Ben Atherton-Zeman is the spokesman for the National Organization for Men Against Sexism, and has presented his one man play in over 29 states. Mr. Atherton-Zeman has received numerous awards for his work, and is praised for his insight and dedication in working with young men to change their sexist views about women.
On September 26, Mr. Atherton-Zeman presented his one man play to a full auditorium of Norwell High School students. He opened the program by proclaiming himself to be a “recovering sexist” and then began to demonstrate to the audience the various ways in which men do not respect women and what they can do about it.
Mr. Zeman challenged the students by stating that they have the ability to change societal norms, they do not have to condone violence against women, and that they can be instrumental in effecting change.
Mr. Atherton –Zeman stressed that the domestic violence and sexual assault movements do not have to be comprised of women only, the issue impacts on us all. Tolerance of male violence against women in essence promotes the violence, whereas if men take a stand to challenge the old beliefs systems, they can create positive change.
One of the highlights of the play depicted the importance of listening to your partner. Mr. Atherton-Zeman acted out a scene from Rocky that demonstrated how Rocky did not listen to Adrienne when she said no, and now Adrienne wants to break up with him. Through acting and impressions Mr. Atherton-Zeman explained the implications of Rocky’s actions.
Mr. Atherton-Zeman acted out three scenes. The scenes were poignant, yet filled with humor. The topics, while serious, were discussed in a manner that engaged the high school students. The program was fast paced, and touched upon the various ways that violence is perpetrated against women. The play also demonstrated through acting and celebrity male voice impressions how young men can change their behaviors and strive to end sexist ideology.
Each of the three male characters that Mr. Atherton–Zeman characterized was forced to deal with the issues of sexual assault and consent, dating violence, domestic violence, sexual harassment and objectifying women. Through humor and impressions, Mr. Atherton –Zeman was able to engage the audience and minimize the likelihood of male defensiveness. He was able to encourage the audience that they are not only part of the problem, if they maintain the sexist ideology, but they have the opportunity to be part of the solution. The process that each male character goes through is one of self reflection and understanding that they have the ability to change.
Mr. Atherton–Zeman discussed how young men can take an effective role in changing abusive and controlling behaviors. He stressed that the majority of men are not abusive and controlling and do not perpetrate violence against women. “We need to stand up with the women in the movement and make it our issue too. Women should not have to do all of the hard work. Men need to take a stand against male violence against women. Men who do not use violence against women are in the majority, we need to use our voices”.
The program concluded with Mr. Atherton-Zeman asking the males in the audience to take a pledge to live a life free from violence against women, and work towards creating change and regarding their attitudes about women and violence. The men in audience took the pledge and many of the males in audience then went to the front of the auditorium to receive a white ribbon.
The white ribbon symbolizes the commitment made by men to work towards ending violence against women, and telling other men that they will not condone their violence.
For more information about Ben Atherton-Zeman or to schedule a presentation, you may contact him at 978-263-3254 or go online to benazeman@hotmail.com
Brockton Family and Community Resources helps in disaster relief
Brockton Family and Community Resources (BFCR) continue to provide services to victims of Hurricane Katrina. Two days after the hurricane, BFCR contacted the Louisiana Coalition against Domestic Violence to offer whatever support we could, including assisting in transporting victims to other states, sheltering victims through BFCR programs and sending necessary items. Through our communication with the Louisiana Coalition we learned that they could not determine what they needed because they had lost three shelters and were not in contact with four more.
Over the next few days, as the Louisiana Coalition tried to reach out to their own, yet maintain contact with BFCR, it was decided by the Board of Directors and Management staff that we could offer some financial assistance. The agency pledged five hundred dollars as a match to staff donations and we forwarded a check for one thousand dollars to the Louisiana Coalition.
In addition to the financial contribution, BFCR was asked to assist with services at Camp Edwards on Cape Cod. The agency was contacted by the Massachusetts Department of Social Service Domestic Violence Unit at 7:00 am, two days after the hurricane victims arrived from Louisiana. BFCR sent a team from our Domestic Violence and Mental Health Program as well as from our Child Witness to violence Program to assist with several cases. Mothers with young children had escaped violent relationships only to become victims again, this time from a horrific hurricane. We are happy to report that these incredibly strong women are doing well and looking forward to a safe and happy new life in New England.
April 2005, V.E.T.O. Events
National Crime Victim’s Rights Week, April 10-16, 2005
Victims Rights Fairs were held at both the Hanover and Kingston Malls. Local victim rights agencies, including area police departments, attended the event by placing resource and information on tables to assist victims of crime. Both events were well attended, with many shoppers stopping to take note of the event and read the material offered. All of the participating agencies had a table with information and brochures highlighting the programs that they offer.
The sheriffs department offered finger printing for children, and South Shore Women’s Resource Center displayed the Clothesline Project. The District Attorney’s Office created bookmarks that were distributed to stores in the mall and were given out to customers. The bookmarks contained local resources and phone numbers.
