"Remember me."

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. I hope you will take a few moments during October to consider the issue and remember those whose lives are affected by it.




The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), in conjunction with Ms. Magazine, started the Remember My Name project in 1994 to create a national registry of names of those who have lost their lives to domestic violence. Since then, NCADV has continued to collect information on incidents of people who have been killed by an intimate partner and produces a poster each year for Domestic Violence Awareness Month listing the names of those submitted to the project. To date, over 7,753 people* have been memorialized through the project.



http://www.ncadv.org/



NCADV has partnered with The Wireless Foundation for over seven years through the CALL TO PROTECT program which was created to provide victims of domestic violence who may encounter emergency situations with free cell phones for that use. The collection of deactivated cell and wireless phones for this purpose has literally saved hundreds of lives over the course of our partnership.

In addition to phones being distributed for emergency use, proceeds from the sale of phones not utilized for emergency use help fund agencies that work to end violence in the home, such as NCADV.

There are so many things you can do to help. If nothing else, display a purple ribbon someplace during this month, pass the word, or give a moment of silence. Remember those that have lost their lives, and remember if you are in need, please seek help.



I got flowers today!



I got flowers today!

It wasn't my birthday or any other special day.

We had our first argument last night;

And he said a lot of cruel things that really hurt;

I know that he is sorry and didn’t mean to say the things he said;

Because he sent me flowers today.



I got flowers today.

It wasn't our anniversary or any other special day.

Last night, he threw me into a wall and started to choke me.

It seemed like a nightmare.

I couldn't believe that it was real.

I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over.

I know he must be sorry.

Because he sent me flowers today.



I got flowers today!

It wasn’t our anniversary or any other special day;

Last night he threw me into a wall and then started choking me;

It seemed unreal, a nightmare, but you wake up from nightmares;

And I woke up this morning sore and bruised all over—but I know he is sorry;

Because he sent me flowers today.



I got flowers today!

And it wasn’t Valentines Day or any other special day;

Last night he beat me and threatened to kill me;

Make-up and long sleeves didn’t hide the cuts and bruises this time;

I couldn’t go to work today because I didn’t want anyone to know—but I know he’s sorry;

Because he sent me flowers today.



I got flowers today!

And it wasn’t Mother’s Day or any other special day;

Last night he beat me again, and it was worse than all of the other times;

If I leave him, what will I do?

How will I take care of the kids?

What about money?

I’m afraid of him, but I’m too scared and dependent to leave him!

But he must be sorry;

Because he sent me flowers today.



I got flowers today….

Today was a special day—it was the day of my funeral;

Last night he killed me;

If only I would have gathered the courage and strength to leave him;

I could have received help from the Women’s Shelter, but I didn’t ask for their help;

So I got flowers today—for the last time.
~Author Unknown~


Life goes on................