‘Hope Starts Here’ Breakfast Benefits Bellevue’s LifeWire

As high-profile cases of domestic violence draw the attention of people across the country, Bellevue’s LifeWire is bringing local awareness and resources to the issue at its ‘Hope Starts Here’ breakfast on Thursday, October 2, 2014 in Bellevue. “We are at a pivotal moment within American culture in which domestic violence, so often a taboo subject, is being addressed on a national level,” said Barbara Langdon, LifeWire Executive Director. “America needs to know that domestic violence is an insidious crime and a national epidemic.”

Langdon cites recent cases involving NFL football player Ray Rice, and stunning video of him hitting his fiancée inside a casino elevator, knocking her out. NFL players Greg Hardy and Adrian Peterson have also been arrested in separate cases of abuse. Local women’s soccer player, Hope Solo, has pleaded ‘not guilty’ and is awaiting trial on charges that she assaulted her half-sister and 17 year old nephew. And newly crowned Miss America Kira Kazantsev, a domestic violence survivor, made headlines with her pageant platform of domestic violence awareness.

For 32 years, LifeWire has been addressing the complex issue of domestic violence. “Many of these victims call our helpline and walk through our doors in desperate need of help,” said Langdon. “Domestic violence and sexual assaults account for more than 200,000 visits to hospital emergency rooms across the country each year.” National police statistics show that nearly half of women murdered by their intimate partner had visited an emergency room within two years of the homicide.

Janine Latus, award-winning journalist and author of the book, If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister’s Story of Love, Murder and Liberation, will deliver the keynote speech at the ‘Hope Starts Here’ breakfast. Latus will share her story of being in a series of abusive relationships for both her and her sister, Amy, which eventually ended in Amy’s death. The LifeWire breakfast will be held at Bellevue’s Meydenbauer Center on Thursday, October 2^nd. Jean Enersen of KING 5 News, will emcee the event. Register to attend at www.lifewire.org.

If you are reading this and need help, call LifeWire’s 24- Hour Helpline at 425-746-1940 or 1-800-827-8840.  If you are reading this and want to support our work send your check to:

 

LifeWire

P.O. Box 6398

Bellevue, WA  98008

NFL Tackles a Tough Issue: Domestic Violence

In a bold move, Roger Goodell, Commissioner of the National Football League, informed team owners that the NFL will increase its penalties for player’s involved in domestic violence cases.
“We need respected leaders and coaches to be role models,” states Barbara Langdon, LifeWire Executive Director. “Millions of viewers watch NFL Games every season. We applaud Roger Goodell for taking this opportunity to lead with tougher sanctions, hold players accountable and send a powerful message to the nation that domestic violence and sexual assault will not be tolerated. Domestic violence devastates the lives of too many women, men, youth and children. By enforcing these penalties the NFL can make a profound difference by being a role model in the fight to end domestic violence.”
The league’s policy concerning domestic violence could be a game-changing hit to San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Ray McDonald who was arrested early Sunday morning on felony domestic violence charges, according to the San Jose Police Department. McDonald, Height 6-3 Weight 290, was taken into custody after officers responded to reports of a violent altercation. The alleged victim, with visible injuries, is pregnant.
LifeWire’s mission is to end domestic violence. Regardless of your socio-economic status; race or background, domestic violence goes across all barriers. One in every four women and one in every seven men have experienced severe physical violence by a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend.* If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, call LifeWire’s 24- Hour Helpline at 425-746-1940 or 1-800-827-8840. To learn more about domestic violence, visit LifeWire at www.lifewire.org
Prevention is key. “With the support of the Verizon Foundation, LifeWire is implementing the Coaching Boys into Men Program in local schools and the community,” explains Ward Urion, LifeWire Social Change Manager. “In this innovative program we work with coaches and athletic directors to deliver a powerful message about healthy relationships while working to change cultural norms that support domestic violence.”
“We are working to end domestic violence in our community. If you are in a position of power to send a message to end violence in our nation, be a leader and speak up,” states Urion. “The NFL has an exceptional opportunity to be a role model and effect social change at the national level.”
In a KNBR radio interview, 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh reiterated his zero-tolerance policy for domestic violence. “If someone physically abuses a woman and/or physically or mentally abuses or hurts a child, then there's no understanding," he said, "there's no tolerance for that.”
LifeWire is the largest provider of comprehensive domestic violence services and confidential shelter in Washington State, and is a nationally recognized leader in the field. Since 1982, LifeWire has been a lifeline for more than 124,000 victims and their children, offering safety, shelter, support, education and prevention services. LifeWire assists people with meeting their needs for safety, critical human services, advocacy, shelter, homelessness prevention and housing stability helping them become self-sufficient.