Take a Stand with Goodwill in Ending Domestic Violence


Support Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October
There are many facts surrounding domestic violence: Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is assaulted or beaten with most violent acts taking place between 6pm and 6am. Without help, children who witness domestic violence are more vulnerable to abuse as teens and adults.

One fact that goes unsaid is that women who experience domestic violence feel powerless and are trapped in the cycle of abuse with nowhere to turn to get out. Fortunately, there are resources available like MERS Goodwill’s ACCESS program that helps these victims work toward an abuse-free life.

ACCESS serves an important role in the lives of domestic violence victims: empowering survivors though employment. Victims of domestic violence lose a total of 8 million days of paid work each year and between 21-60% of victims lose their jobs due to reasons stemming from abuse. Christina Holmes, Program Director of ACCESS, and MERS Goodwill staff are helping St. Louis-area victims escape the cycle of abuse and gain the financial stability they need to be confident and healthy. Since 2010, the program has served 600 survivors in the St. Louis area.

ACCESS assists victims with job readiness training, including properly filling out job applications, developing cover letters and resumes for potential employers, conducting interview training, and facilitating proper attire and transportation to interviews. Studies show that victims of domestic violence attempt an average of seven times to leave their situation before giving up for good; employment is the fastest and most sure way to short circuit this cycle.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. To join MERS Goodwill in supporting local survivors of domestic abuse and help the fight to stop domestic violence, copy and paste the picture below to write why you stand with survivors and post your response to social media with #DVAM2016.