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Domestic violence is a crime! If you are enduring abuse, call 24 hours a day: (800) 799-SAFE(7233) IMMEDIATELY or (727) 442-4128 in north Pinellas County.

Last month in Seminole, Jennifer Nicole Williams reportedly tried to leave her husband in the middle of the night, but didn’t make it. Her husband shot her in the head out in the yard where she died, then went into the house and took his own life (see the video TBO.com report on the left). An Associated Press report in March 2009 indicated that the recession is fueling an increase in domestic violence, and by many accounts, the recession is still alive and well for Tampa Bay families. So is the stress that comes with it.

Apparently Ms. Williams involved Pinellas County Sheriff deputies in early August in an attempt to retrieve personal belongings so she could move out prior to her fatal night. Nobody can change the past or predict the future, but The Haven of RCS helps make the future much brighter for women who endure domestic violence and are looking for a way out. The shelter is administered by Religious Community Services in Clearwater, which combines the efforts of numerous area churches to serve the community with a variety of resources.

According to the RCS website, “RCS concentrates its social service efforts on providing the basic needs of food, shelter, safety, clothing, and household goods to individuals and families.  It has been well established through research on human development that people cannot strive towards reaching their full potential until their basic needs are met.”

Helping women trapped in a domestic violence situation by providing them a way out is just one way RCS and The Haven achieve their mission. RCS describes abuse as a spouse who:

• Calls names, insults, criticizes, curses

• Becomes jealous of time spent with others

• Harasses about imagined affairs

• Manipulates with lies

• Humiliates in private or public

• Locks out of home

• Throws things

• Punches, hits, kicks, shoves, bites, chokes

• Threatens to hurt, kill, take children

• Threatens to commit suicide

Women looking to escape an abusive situation can count on RCS to help in a number of ways, including:

• A 24-Hour crisis line: (727) 442-4128

• Emergency Shelter – a temporary, safe shelter for victims and their children for up to 45 days.

• Support Groups that are facilitated for teens, Spanish speaking clients, children, and more.

• One-on-one support for adults and children at the shelter, transitional living, and through the outreach office.

• Advocacy by assisting with access to community resources, including filing for injunctions for protection against domestic violence and support through court procedures.

• Information and Referral to community resources for victims and their families.

• Peacemaker Program – a violence prevention curriculum offered to pre-school, elementary, and middle school youth.

• Mobile Phones for eligible victims.

• Transitional Living – a supportive program with housing for up to two years for eligible shelter residents and their children.

iParent encourages women who experience divorce to reach to RCS or any other agency (even call 911) to seek help escaping a violent situation to protect themselves or their children to avoid a tragic outcome. RCS always welcomes donations of money and food (for their food pantry). Visit them online at www.RCSpinellas.com.