There are always “moving moments” at any PADV gathering. Survivors speak. We hear stories of hope recovered following tragic and dangerous beginnings. Sadly, most often, the menacing behavior has been at the hands of men – literally and figuratively. It is almost breathtaking when a survivor shares a story about a good man, or a few good men who played a role in their survival. At least it is for me. Such was the case recently when I attended PADV’s “When Domestic Violence Goes to Work” conference and heard a survivor’s story about how two male work colleagues met her at her car each morning to ensure her safe entry to work and escorted her back to her car each evening. They did this for years. They believed her. They feared for her. They helped to protect her. And, I suspect, unwittingly helped to restore her faith in “man”kind. I admit it; I [...]

Earlier this week, we asked the question on PADV’s Facebook page, “What does empowerment mean to you?”  After many of our loyal fans shared their insights, I noticed a thread of reoccurring themes: freedom, opportunities and choices. This got me thinking about the insidious link between poverty and intimate partner violence. Unequivocally, poverty reduces options for domestic violence survivors.  That’s why it’s paramount to ensure that battered women find and/or retain employment.  Financial independence leads to self-sufficiency that coincides with opportunities, choices and ultimately freedom from an abusive relationship. Because economic empowerment is a means to ending both poverty and domestic violence, PADV recruited Second Chance Employment Services President and Founder, Ludy Green, PhD, to present at the 10th annual “When Domestic Violence Goes to Work” conference. Green’s nonprofit organization provides meaningful employment for survivors of intimate partner violence. Battered women face a number of employment barriers such as increased tardiness [...]

It doesn’t seem right that this type of month even needs to exist. “Teen” and “Dating” in the same phrase, yes, but “Violence”? The innocence of your first crush or your young dating relationships turning into something terribly wrong, having lifelong effects that tarnish your ideals of love, just doesn’t seem right. But it’s happening, in fact females ages 16-24 are more vulnerable to intimate partner violence than any other age group – at a rate almost triple the national average.

Myron and Theresa Bullock are an extraordinary couple. Their union has the   ingredients that constitute a happy, healthy marriage – love, respect and friendship. Working together as part-owners of Metro Waterproofing, they look for ways to spend even more time together by playing golf or ballroom dancing. A native of Gwinnett County, Myron met his wife, Theresa, 30 years ago at Central Gwinnett High School and married two years later. Celebrating 28 years of marriage, they have two daughters and three grandchildren. The Bullocks began supporting PADV several years ago because domestic violence affected their family. Their daughter, who was an honors student and excelled in sports, had an emotionally and physically abusive boyfriend. “Parents have to realize that it could happen to anyone’s daughter,” said Myron. “Abusive boyfriends aren’t necessarily the ‘bad’ boy, but could be the star athlete or the most popular guy in school.” The Bullocks are [...]

  PADV is excited to be in the planning stage for our 23rd annual Hearts with Hope gala.  Hearts with Hope has grown tremendously in the last ten years, from raising $50,000 in 2000 to $700,000 in 2008. Even with the recession, we raised $600,000 through the gala in 2009 and 2010. These funds support PADV’s general operations – we could not function without them. The 2011 gala will take place on March 5 at the Cobb Energy Centre and include live and silent auctions, dinner, awards and entertainment. Bob and Lyn Turknett are our honorary co-chairs and our goal is to raise $650,000. The 2011 Hope Award will be presented to Cammie and John Rice, PADV Board member and Vice Chair of GE, respectively, to recognize their outstanding contributions to support battered women and children in Atlanta. We will also be presenting the Purple Heart with Hope award to a domestic [...]