Gateway Domestic Violence Center

Gateway Recognizes National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Week

Gainesville, Ga. - February 1-6 is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness Week, a time to bring attention to the issue of abuse among teenagers in dating relationships. Teen dating violence is a serious epidemic. According to the Liz Claiborne Foundation's national 2006 survey of teens (http://www.loveisrespect.org/);

1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner.
1 in 3 girls who have been in a serious relationship say they've been concerned about being physically hurt by their partner.
1 in 4 teens who have been in a serious relationship say their boyfriend or girlfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family; the same number have been pressured to only spend time with their partner.

Gateway is intervening locally by offering domestic violence education programs in the Gainesville City Schools and in the Hall County Schools. This program promotes prevention by educating middle and high school students on the dynamics and dangers of abusive relationships. Gateway presented 118 two-day classes to 3,548 middle and high school students in 2009.

For more information about teen dating violence or domestic violence, please call Gateway's confidential 24/7 hotline at (770) 536-5860.

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GATEWAY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTER RECIEVES PART OF $3 MILLION NATIONWIDE GRANT FROM THE MARY KAY FOUNDATION

Gateway Domestic Violence Center has been chosen to receive a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation as part of the organization's annual $3 million national domestic violence grant program. Gateway is one of 150 domestic violence organizations participating in the program. The grant will be used to provide services to children who have witnessed abuse at home and to increase occupational therapy services to victims.

'Programs to help battered women and their children require a lot of resources,' said Jessica Butler, executive director at Gateway. That's why we are so thankful The Mary Kay Foundation is helping us help families in Hall County.'

In May 2009, Mary Kay'sTruth About Abuse survey of domestic violence shelters across the country revealed some alarming results: three out of four domestic violence shelters report an increase in women seeking assistance from abuse since September 2008, a major turning point in the U.S. economy. The survey data directly connects the downturn in the economy to an increase in domestic violence.

'In light of the economic downturn and alarming increases in domestic violence, The Mary Kay Foundation's mission is more critical than ever before. Gateway has helped so many women and their families in the Hall County area. We know they will use these funds to benefit even more domestic violence survivors and their children and help end domestic violence,' said Jennifer Cook, The Mary Kay Foundation board member.

In 2008, Gateway provided services to 1,297 individuals fleeing abuse at home. This included answering 3,185 crisis calls from victims, providing 6,126 guest nights in the shelter, and assisting victims in obtaining 220 Temporary Protective Orders. Gateway shelter and phone line are staffed 24 hours a day. In addition to emergency services, Gateway provides support groups to victims who live in the community who have experienced abuse at home. All of Gateway's services are free and confidential. If you or someone you know is experiencing violence at home, you can contact Gateway at (770) 536-5860 or visit our web site at www.gatewaydvcenter.org.

About the Mary Kay Foundation: The Mary Kay Foundation was created in 1996, and its mission is two-fold: to fund research of cancers affecting women and to help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue. Since the Foundation's inception, it has awarded nearly $22 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and $13 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States. To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation, log on to www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).

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