There were 66 reports of domestic violence reported to the Hopewell Township Police Department last year – but for supporters of Womanspace, that’s 66 incidents too many.
That’s why Hopewell Valley residents are being invited to take part in the annual Communities of Light program in support of Womanspace, set for Dec. 3 at 4:30 p.m. at the Hopewell Township Municipal Services Building at 201 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road.
Communities of Light is the signature fundraiser for Womanspace, which is a nonprofit organization that supports women, children and men who are victims of domestic violence.
Hopewell Valley residents who do not attend the program at the municipal building can still send a message that they oppose domestic violence by setting out luminaries – candles in a bag – in front of their homes at dusk on Dec. 3 in a symbolic gesture to shed light on the issue.
Luminary kits, which contain six candles and bags in which to put them, cost $10 apiece and are available at the Pennington Quality Market at 25 Route 31 in Pennington, and at Chance on Main at 34 S. Main St. in Pennington.
Womanspace, which is based in Lawrence Township, is a vital resource to families, said Hopewell Township Deputy Mayor Julie Blake.
“I understand first-hand the essential services of providing a safe space for families,” Blake said, noting that her mother was a volunteer at the first woman’s shelter in Joplin, Mo., during the 1970’s.
“Before there was a shelter established, we had several families live with us temporarily,” Blake recalled. “Providing a safe space for women and children is a fundamental value that we need to affirm each year.”
“As domestic violence touches each community, we thank Womanspace for its commitment to all of us,” she said.
The goal of Communities of Light is to raise public awareness about domestic violence and the availability of counseling and other resources for victims through Womanspace. Money generated by the sale of the luminary kits will benefit Womanspace.
Womanspace’s resources include Domestic Violence Victims Response Teams that meet with victims at the municipal police department upon request. Trained volunteers provide support and resources for victims.
Similar services are provided to victims of sexual assault through the Sexual Assault Support Advocates program, also staffed by trained volunteers. They may accompany the victim to the hospital, for example.
Womanspace also offers counseling for victims on an individual, family or group basis. It also helps to guide victims through the restraining order process – which keeps abusers away from victims – in Mercer County Family Court.
Womanspace has its roots in the Mercer County Commission on the Status of Women, which was created in 1976. During the initial public meetings, the issue of domestic violence quickly came to the forefront.
As a result of those meetings, a proposal was developed to provide services to women in crisis. The effort was spearheaded by the late Barbara Boggs Sigmund, who was serving on the Mercer County Board of Chosen Freeholders. She later became the mayor of the former Princeton Borough.
Through its many program over the past four decades, Womanspace has helped more than 71,393 women, 13,7176 children and 5,153 men who have been victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.