Nice piece in the Brockton Enterprise about the change in name from Womansplace Crisis Center to A New Day. The agency has expanded its mission to help all survivors heal from sexual violence.
While sexual and relationship violence are often viewed as “women’s issues,” the issue of violence belongs to men, women and children. Domestic or relationship violence, defined as a pattern of controlling behavior used to gain power over another person, is society’s problem.
Recent homicide statistics reveal the social impact of domestic violence. There have been 30 domestic-violence murders in Massachusetts so far this year, up from 23 in 2009 and 28 in 2008.
In 2007, there were 42 murders, according to Jane Doe Inc., a state domestic violence and sexual assault coalition.
Studies have shown that one out of three women and one out of six men are survivors of sexual violence, according to A New Day’s brochure. Since changing their name and color scheme in August, the Brockton group has seen a 5 percent increase in the number of men seeking services.
