City resources combat domestic violence

Neighbors

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By JAY TIBSHRAENY

Contributor

I recently had the opportunity to attend the City’s 9th Annual Domestic Violence Awareness breakfast and briefly discuss many of the resources available to residents who may in some way be involved in this terrible epidemic.

While Chandler is ranked among the leaders as a “Safest City to Raise a Family,” we can always do more to end domestic violence. As I told those in the packed room at the downtown Community Center, it is our responsibility as a community to ensure women, men and children receive support and protection if we are to safely break the cycle of abuse.

We are very fortunate that Chandler is an amazing, forward-thinking community. We have several unique resources in our city that assist victims of domestic violence. Some include:

• The City of Chandler Domestic Violence Commission is one of them. These volunteer commissioners are appointed by the City Council and dialogue with the community in matters related to domestic violence, with a focus on education and prevention.
• The Chandler Police Department headquarters is undergoing renovations with a focus on better-serving crime victims to further enhance the safety of those in need.
• The Chandler Mental Health Court provides services beyond traditional domestic violence counseling for domestic violence offenders who suffer from severe mental illness. Chandler is also a member of the East Valley Regional Veterans’ Court, where veterans charged with domestic violence and other offenses can be sentenced to domestic violence counseling, mental health and drug treatment.
• Cup of Karma is a coffee shop at our downtown library that helps connect survivors with jobs to help them save and make it easier for them to rebuild their credit.

Chandler also has a number of social service agencies leading the way in the fight against domestic violence. These organizations provide a vast array of services to our community members when they are faced with a crisis, such as domestic violence. They include ICAN; AZCEND (formerly the Chandler Christian Community Center); IHELP, the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program; the Boys and Girls Club of the East Valley; Chandler Unified School District’s Chandler Care Center, a school-based family resource center where children receive medical, dental and counseling services; and My Sister’s Place, a domestic violence shelter run by Catholic Charities that offers shelter to men, women and children affected by domestic violence and human trafficking.

Domestic abuse doesn’t happen between the convenient hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is a 24/7 epidemic. We all have a role to play in transforming a culture of “no more violence.” And it begins now. If you are, or know of someone suffering from the anguish and hopelessness of domestic violence, please seek out these resources. Help is literally “just around the corner.” Jay Tibshraney is mayor of Chandler.