MontgomeryCo. event empowers victims of domestic violence: 'We want to help'

Nearly 90 women walked the white carpet at Montgomery County police headquarters Saturday and celebrated their newfound voices against domestic violence.

women's model hats on the white carpet — Nearly 90 elegantly dressed women walked the white carpet at police headquarters in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Saturday, celebrating their newfound voices against domestic violence. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

MontgomeryCo. event empowers victims of domestic violence: ‘We want to help’ — Each woman wore a stylish hat called a “Power Hat,” symbolizing their personal journey and newfound empowerment. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

female models hat on white carpet — Women came forward to participate in the workshop program called “Voices That Matter”, which gives women the message that their stories matter and they should not suffer alone. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

As friends and family members applauded, nearly 90 elegantly dressed women walked the white carpet in Montgomery County, Maryland, on Saturday, celebrating their newfound voice to confront domestic violence.

Each wore a stylish hat called the “Power Hat,” symbolizing their personal journeys and newfound empowerment, during the event held at the county police headquarters on Saturday.

“This all really started when six brave women approached us at different times throughout the year,” said Mariela Leon, Montgomery County Hispanic community supervisor.

According to Leon, the women were all “victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or rape” and had reported the crime because they felt “scared, alone.”

A survivor of childhood sexual assault, Leon realized that his own ability to speak was central to his recovery. She felt compelled to be a voice for other female survivors.

First six, then 40, and then 90 women came forward to participate in the workshop program called “Important Voices” (Important Voices). This sent the message to women that their stories matter and they should not suffer alone.

The women attended month-long workshops at the police training academy designed to empower survivors of domestic violence.

“We met every week in October…we did different workshops, teaching different things from all the resources the county has to offer in the police department for victims of sexual assault, rape or domestic violence, not only from a financial perspective,” Leon said.

The workshops aimed to teach survivors that “they have strength and ability” and to show them “how to start earning their own income… because a lot of the reasons they stay in these relationships are because they’re not financially independent.” Leon added.

Therapists and counselors from the Department of Health and Human Services were on hand each week throughout the program to offer support.

Police explained that this particular outreach targets victims who are reluctant to contact law enforcement, particularly in Gaithersburg’s Hispanic communities and the southern part of the county.

“I’ve seen this type of thing before, and I’ve seen people who are hesitant to come to us because of their past experience with law enforcement,” said Captain Jordan Satinsky, Montgomery County Police Department Community Relations Manager. Section. “This was one of those workshops that really brought these people together.”

Satinsky is a former homicide investigator. He created and oversaw the department’s sexual assault unit and also redeveloped the police department’s domestic violence unit.

“When I first started in ’99, domestic violence was one of the top responses to the calls we were getting, and a lot of what we were doing in law enforcement and even in our judicial system… it was looked at as more of a family issue.” Satinsky said.

However, according to Satinsky, “this mantra began to change over time”.

“We’re here to help and we’re really open. We want to help. We’re not here to judge. “We are here to help you and provide resources,” he said. “If you call the police and ask for our help, we will help. “If there is something we cannot help you with, for whatever reason, we will connect you to the right resources.”

At Saturday’s event, a jazz duet of tenor and alto saxophones performed groovy tunes along with singing and dancing performances.

“This program doesn’t just end in October. Based on that, we will continue to meet to understand what they need,” Leon said. “We will also connect with other partners to provide them with these resources.”

Sign up to get breaking news and daily headlines in your email inbox Here.

Related Posts