Safe Space offers sanctuary for victims

The recent car chase into Virginia forced viewers to live one woman's worst nightmare.

Lourdes Guzman had tried to escape, but her ex-boyfriend found her and held her at gunpoint for hours until he killed her and himself.

Annie Ward, 37, a migrant farm worker in Benson, was doused with gasoline and set on fire last week. She is still recovering in the burn center at UNC Hospital. Her boyfriend, Preston Banks, 36, is charged with attempted murder.

Everywhere we look these days, more and more people, mostly women and children, are victims of domestic violence. It seems to be on the rise each year in North Carolina -- or is it?

"Every year our statistics are really equivalent to the year before or higher," said Safe Space Executive Director Janeen Haller. "The more we are able to get the word out for services, the more we get people to come to us, so it's hard to tell if it's getting worse or if more people are coming for help and speaking out about it."

Either way, Safe Space is ready and willing to help anyone who needs it. But for some it is too late, and the organization works hard to ensure these victims are always honored and remembered.

October is recognized nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To assist in educating the public about this issue, Safe Space will hold several events throughout October.

The popular community clothesline project is an ongoing exhibit of T-shirts that domestic violence survivors and family members of victims create. The shirts are displayed on a clothesline and taken to different locations.

Victims and survivors are invited to make T-shirts Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Louisburg police training center. Activities will be provided for children. Although Safe Space makes every effort to keep names and identities confidential, this is a community event; therefore, anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

On Thursday, Oct. 17, Safe Space will sponsor a candlelight vigil from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Franklin County courthouse. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall is one of several guests scheduled to speak, along with other community members who wish to remember victims and survivors of domestic violence.

A charity horse show fund-raiser will be held Saturday, Oct. 26, beginning at 9 a.m. at Cedar Meadow Farm on Mays Crossroads Road in Franklinton.

Entry forms for interested horse showers are available at the Safe Space office.

One simple way everyone can both contribute to the cause and honor those affected by domestic violence is to purchase a purple lapel pin. They are available at the Safe Space Variety Shop, 304 E. Nash St., for only $3 each.

"That's a great way for community members to show their support for victims and survivors," Haller said.

The Safe Space Variety Shop just celebrated one year at its new location, which offers larger display and stock areas and also led to increased sales for the non-profit organization (Safe Space Inc.).

The move was made possible through significant grants from the Kate B. Reynolds and Cannon Foundation. Local benefactors and community volunteers also contributed funds and time for the move.

The first year in the new location has been a success, despite the funding climate throughout the state. The funds from the Variety Shop go directly into the budget of the Safe Space Domestic Violence Services program which offers advocacy, support, shelter, education and information to victims of domestic violence, their children and the community.

The increased profits at the new location, managed by court advocate Danielle Hill, allow the organization to rely less on government sources to support its services. Hill attributes the increase in profits to the store's "dedicated staff who creatively sort, store, merchandise and sell our stock."

The store's success was also a result of generous donations from the community, which are tax deductible.

For more information, contact the store at 496-7777, or Hill at 497- 5599.