Peace at Home Family Shelter celebrates 30 years of service
Posted on Sunday, October 5, 2008
BROOKE McNEELY Northwest Arkansas Times Luigi the Clown, left, blows up a large balloon while taking to Marlene Hernandez, 4, Saturday during Peace at Home Family Shelter’s Fiesta 2008 at the Springdale Civic Center. The event promoted National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and showcased the extensive network of partners working to end domestic violence.
Peace at Home Family Shelter celebrated 30 years of service Saturday during its fifth annual fiesta at the Springdale Civic Center.
"Each year, we invite our community partners and leaders to raise awareness that domestic violence is an important issue and one we can address and make progress with," said Judith Selle, the shelter's executive director. "It's a chance to demonstrate our partnerships to the community during an event the whole family can enjoy."
Dance competitions, live music, balloon animals, snacks and educational presentations were among the attractions featured during Saturday's fiesta. The event was hosted in conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which takes place in October.
A panel of area experts were on-hand Saturday, presenting educational material and answering questions related to domestic violence.
Springdale Police Sgt. Robert Sanchez explained how police investigate crimes involving domestic violence.
After the crime is reported by a family member, victim, neighbor or friend, police respond to the scene and speak to all parties involved. Officers also determine if any injuries have occurred and who is at fault.
"Domestic violence is one of the few misdemeanor crimes police can make an arrest on when it doesn't happen in their presence," Sanchez said. "The bottom line is, here in Arkansas, domestic violence is not tolerated."
Springdale Prosecutor Jeff Harper said domestic violence offenders are often hard to prosecute. Prior to their trial date, he said, abusers often reconcile with their victim and the charges are dropped.
"Domestic violence made up about 60 percent of violent crimes reported in Springdale last year," he said. "Unfortunately, we had one person killed and one person attempted to be killed.
"In 1991, a law passed in Arkansas determined that domestic violence is a crime against the people, not just the victim. Children that grow up in abusive homes are six to 10 times more likely to be in the same type of relationship. We have to stop abuse from going to the next generation."
Selle said Saturday's fiesta aimed at promoting domestic violence awareness within the community. Each month, she said, the shelter receives approximately 30 calls from families seeking services.
The Peace at Home Family Shelter will soon be providing services to more area residents. The organization will soon be housed in a new facility, currently under construction.
"It's almost complete," Selle said. "We expect to start moving families in before Thanksgiving. We're having some open houses before then so people can get an idea of what a family shelter looks like."
A grand opening for the new building, located on Old Missouri Road, has been set for April. The new shelter will have 31 beds - twice as many as the current location. The facility will also have room to double its space in the future.
"We don't want to move to fast because we have a comprehensive program and we don't want to dilute our service," Selle said.
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