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LaViolette educates
to prevent violence
By William Marshall
On-line Forty-Niner
Alyce LaViolette
has been teaching domestic abuse prevention and awareness
for over 20 years. LaViolette took time from her busy schedule
Tuesday to talk with a group of students at the University
Student Union about how to detect, prevent and steer-clear
of an abusive relationship as part of Domestic Violence Awareness
Month.
Her down-to-earth approach and real-life examples of people
that have been abused, as well as those who have been abusers
are just one of the many ways she has become a world-renowned
leader in her field.
"What I want accomplished is that I want people to feel
like change is possible, that they can go for help if they
need it," LaViolette said. "That it is the way to
interrupt the inter-generation's cycle of violence; to begin
to do something now, and that this is the way to make individual
relationships better, which in turn affects the big relationships,
corporately, nationally, internationally, whatever.
"You start with this microcosm of a family and you work
from there and that's the primary prevention."
LaViolette spoke to the eager crowd in a soothing voice, much
like a mother would while giving advice to her child. She
used a lot of interaction with the audience, and asked questions
about what they would do if they were in the same situation
as one of her stories.
"There is no way to work with people if you cannot trust
them. Without trust, you have nothing," she said.
LaViolette's presentation brought up many issues concerning
domestic violence. She pointed out the many different kinds
of domestic abuse, including physical, mental and emotional
abuse that a spouse or partner can put on their loved ones.
She offered examples and information on how to deal and cope
with living in an abusive relationship, how to identify abuse
and how to prevent it.
She also focused on providing insight on different creative
outlets to explore in order to get away from an abusive relationship,
and where to find help not only for the abused, but also the
abusers in violent relationships.
In 1979, she founded one of the first programs in the country
for spousal abusers; a program that she says is years behind
where it should be, but they are working hard in order to
change that.
"You're in a program long enough to see people change
and it really keeps your heart going", said LaViolette.
The presentation lasted for more than 90 minutes, providing
plenty of time for questions and interaction between the audience
and LaViolette.
"I really learned a lot about awareness and different
groups and shelters right here in Long Beach, and a lot about
what I can do to prevent domestic violence," said junior
Shevuan Seene, a women's studies and graphic design major.
For more information about LaViolette, or other Domestic Violence
Awareness Month programs, call the Women's Resource Center
at (562) 985-8576.
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William
Marshall/On-line Forty-Niner
Alyce LaViolette speaks as part of Domestic
Violence Awareness Month.
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