Sexual Assault Awareness Month
On April 11th, the Davidson County Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Read the details of the proclamation below! Thank you to all of the Commissioners for being helping FSDC bring awareness to Sexual Assault and helping us create a safer Davidson County!
It's Unfortunate
Recently, I had an experience that truly hasn’t happened that often during the last two years. While filling up with gas, the guy next to me started up a conversation. Since the start of the pandemic, I feel as if we all just stayed in our little bubble and didn’t converse with others as often. Yet here we were having a friendly chat and enjoying each other’s company while we waited for our tanks to fill. As is often the case, there was the question about what I did. I explained that I was the Executive Director of Family Services of Davidson County.
Through the years I have gotten the same next question, “What do you all do?”. I took the time to give a brief explanation that included providing crisis and counseling services to those impacted by traumatic events, such as sexual assault and domestic violence. I also spoke of our Hattie Lee Burgess House and providing services for those escaping violence.
The next statement really wasn’t surprising, nor did I think about my response until a couple miles up the road. He said, “That’s unfortunate that you have to provide these services.” I told him I agreed how unfortunate it was.
He then said, “God Bless you for providing these services.” I said thank you and we were off to fulfill our responsibilities for that day. But I began to think about my response to him as I traveled to the office.
Although we all agree of the unfortunate circumstances of those seeking our services. However, I began to think about how fortunate it was to have our services available to those who were building back hope and finding healing.
I thought about the strength of those we serve and their abilities to overcome. I then began to consider that Family Services of Davidson County was marking our 25th anniversary and how fortunate that we are available to those seeking our help.
I then thought of how we ensure our services last another 25 years to assist those who need the space to again find their strength and heal. I want to make certain Family Services of Davidson County is a viable resource for many years to come.
Toward this goal of sustainability, we have launched the 25 for 25 campaign. This campaign is looking to 25 individuals, groups, churches, or businesses to partner with us with a gift of $2500. These monies are the building block to ensure those who are suffering have the fortunate programming that will provide them the chance to build hope and find healing.
We thank you for your support of Family Services of Davidson County and your belief in our mission of Building Hope…Healing Lives.
Blessings,
Tim Tilley, Executive Director
Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month truly important to me?
I prepared for work this morning by looking through my personal items box, which contains my extra keys, wrist watches (that I never wear any longer), and lapel pins. There, I located my purple lapel pin to recognize the first day of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
As I started out the door, my wife asked what lapel pin I had on, and I explained it was my purple ribbon for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and quickly headed for the door. As I drove into the office, I began to ask myself, “Am I going through the motions or is Domestic Violence Awareness Month truly important to me?”.
We know the devastation domestic violence has on victims and their children. Not feeling safe in your own home and afraid of the very relationships in which we should feel the most at peace is traumatic. We know this trauma affects the very fabric of life and children exposed to this violence to a lifetime of mental and physical health concerns. Even lessening life expectancy!
I then thought of the 23 families in Davidson County who have lost loved ones to a fatal domestic violence incident. Four of these fatalities being the young and promising lives of children. All these who we’ve lost to this violence had those who loved them and depended on them. They had children, parents, friends, neighbors, and co-workers who were positively impacted by knowing them.
As a community, we are forever changed due to these lives that have been taken due to domestic violence. We can’t escape this fact. We may think it doesn’t truly affect us. Surely these victims had a way out and didn’t have to stay in relationships like these. We just need to dismiss it as a “one off” situation and look to tomorrow and better times.
However, it isn’t that simple. Those caught in the grips of a controlling relationship soon lose any semblance of their worth. They have been devalued and damaged to the point they see no purpose or importance in their world or community. Their lives become a constant race to stay just ahead of the violence bearing down on them. With this unrelenting challenge, there is no time to look for ways out and many feel their lives have already passed them by. They believe it must be their fault for all the destruction they continually live in.
We can make a difference in the lives of those impacted by this violence. We must keep our eyes and hearts open to those in need and make the promise to not dismiss this community health problem as something that doesn’t impact each of us. We can make certain we remain vigilant to the needs of victims and their children and not be afraid to ask, “Are you safe?”. Or to say to someone that you care about their safety, and they don’t deserve to be harmed or abused. You can direct them to national hotlines and local providers who are experts in addressing domestic violence and child abuse.
What we can’t afford to do is live our lives without Seeing. Without being open to the truth around us because it may cause us discomfort. In fact, I’m hoping our discomfort creates opportunity for change. That struggle improves our ability to identify what really matters. You can make a difference in the life of someone else! There is no greater calling than to care for others.
Please take a moment to remember those we’ve lost and to make a promise to not turn away and to shine the light in areas of darkness.
Thank you for accepting this challenge.
Tim Tilley