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To have a peaceful and just community
To promote the prevention of domestic and sexual violence, to enhance
victim safety and hold batterers accountable
To develop and implement primary prevention strategies; to facilitate and implement a coordinated community response to domestic violence; to provide ongoing education and assessment to the coordinated community response
Collectively, a great portion of our nation grieves yet another black human being who died at the hands of inhumane and unjust treatment. Centuries of bigotry, discrimination, systemic racism, and brutality led to the protests we see now. Protests which ask for basic human rights and equality in all areas of society. These pleas are not egregious, nor should they be silenced. George Floyd’s last words, “I can’t breathe” are not to be forgotten. These words should honor his prematurely ended life as they ring loudly to serve as the long overdue seeds of change. George Floyd’s words should not cease being heard until all members of society are regarded as equal and those seeds stand as high as redwoods. The Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force stands with our brothers and sisters as we reaffirm our highest vision to have a peaceful and just community for all.
Therefore, we have to acknowledge that in order to level the power and control in relationships, this has to exist in our community.
We work towards peace in our homes as it should exist in our organizations.
We endeavor to recognize the impact of trauma to lessen the pain and fear which oppresses families, and also have to recognize the long standing systemic trauma for members of our society, the oppression that results from it, and what we can do to reverse the effects of it.
We acknowledge and hope to see our communities accept the wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in that the absence of tension does not equate peace, yet the presence of justice does, that this justice goes beyond our legal system and into all facets of community.
We recognize that safety, equality and liberty still remain out of reach for too many people.
We stand together that we might all rise with dignity, love, empathy, and respect.
We have an opportunity to remake our justice, health care, education, and economic systems in ways that are equitable, responsive, and fair.
We promise to take actions and be the change we wish to see in the world. A world where all men and women are equal.
Ruth Glenn/NCADV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence) states, “We are all defined, not only by what we stand against, but also by what we stand for. We stand for equity; we stand for the end of the patriarchy; we stand for racial justice as well as gender justice and economic justice; we stand for healing and for love. We stand for a better society, a world free from violence, whether that be violence by a domestic abuser or that be violence entrenched by institutional racism or power.”
With pain and love, we align with those words. We stand with our community. Where do you stand? Help be the change and stand with us in recognizing that black lives matter.
After being witness to historically significant and meaningful protests, many people are left wondering “what’s next, where do we go from here, what can I do?” Violence continues in the lives of those who comprise our communities, yet so does the demand for change as demonstrated by the ongoing protests which demand change. At times, it is hard to believe that things will change. If you look hard enough, you can see magnificent glimmers of hope for change. These flickers of hope exist in the determination and the diversity of the protesters, the new proposals for legislation in the criminal justice system, the opportunities for open and honest dialogue, and they exist within you as you read this statement.
The Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force (PCDVTF) will continue to advocate for peace and healthy communities and in doing so will stand alongside and amplify the voices of those who speak out against violence, injustice, and systemic racism. We will use our platform to be that glimmer of light and to be the change that is needed, the change we all want to see, and the change you are welcome to be a part of. Our task force commits to have open dialogues and honest conversations at our meetings. In order to be effective, our members need to hear what other members of our community are experiencing, the great work they are doing, and discover how we can support one another.
Nelson Mandela was one of the 20th century’s greatest champions of social justice. He showed unbelievable resilience and optimism in the face of extreme hardship and cruelty. He was able to see glimmers of hope and this potentially fueled him to persevere. We can borrow from Mandela’s philosophies and wisdom as we press forward. He states, “no one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” We have to embrace his teachings and help be the change.
Therefore, we have to acknowledge that in order to level the power and control in relationships, this has to exist in our community.
We work towards peace in our homes as it should exist in our organizations.
We endeavor to recognize the impact of trauma to lessen the pain and fear which oppresses families, and also have to recognize the long standing systemic trauma for members of our society, the oppression that results from it, and what we can do to reverse the effects of it.
We acknowledge and hope to see our communities accept the wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in that the absence of tension does not equate peace, yet the presence of justice does, that this justice goes beyond our legal system and into all facets of community.
We recognize that safety, equality and liberty still remain out of reach for too many people.
We stand together that we might all rise with dignity, love, empathy, and respect.
We have an opportunity to remake our justice, health care, education, and economic systems in ways that are equitable, responsive, and fair.
We promise to take actions and be the change we wish to see in the world. A world where all men and women are equal.
Ruth Glenn/NCADV (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence) states, “We are all defined, not only by what we stand against, but also by what we stand for. We stand for equity; we stand for the end of the patriarchy; we stand for racial justice as well as gender justice and economic justice; we stand for healing and for love. We stand for a better society, a world free from violence, whether that be violence by a domestic abuser or that be violence entrenched by institutional racism or power.”
With pain and love, we align with those words. We stand with our community. Where do you stand? Help be the change and stand with us in recognizing that black lives matter.
After being witness to historically significant and meaningful protests, many people are left wondering “what’s next, where do we go from here, what can I do?” Violence continues in the lives of those who comprise our communities, yet so does the demand for change as demonstrated by the ongoing protests which demand change. At times, it is hard to believe that things will change. If you look hard enough, you can see magnificent glimmers of hope for change. These flickers of hope exist in the determination and the diversity of the protesters, the new proposals for legislation in the criminal justice system, the opportunities for open and honest dialogue, and they exist within you as you read this statement.
The Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force (PCDVTF) will continue to advocate for peace and healthy communities and in doing so will stand alongside and amplify the voices of those who speak out against violence, injustice, and systemic racism. We will use our platform to be that glimmer of light and to be the change that is needed, the change we all want to see, and the change you are welcome to be a part of. Our task force commits to have open dialogues and honest conversations at our meetings. In order to be effective, our members need to hear what other members of our community are experiencing, the great work they are doing, and discover how we can support one another.
Nelson Mandela was one of the 20th century’s greatest champions of social justice. He showed unbelievable resilience and optimism in the face of extreme hardship and cruelty. He was able to see glimmers of hope and this potentially fueled him to persevere. We can borrow from Mandela’s philosophies and wisdom as we press forward. He states, “no one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” We have to embrace his teachings and help be the change.
