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Resources for Domestic Violence Victims on vacation

7/27/2014

Hello everyone!

This past week my husband and I were on vacation in the beautiful smoky mountains of Tennessee. The views were breathtaking and the cabin was beautiful. We had a blessed vacation.

I started thinking about victims of domestic violence and the isolation they may feel when on vacation. Domestic violence victims are at risk every day of the year, including holidays and vacations. What happens when violence strikes and a victim is away from her support system? Where can she go for help?

Help is available anywhere in the country and throughout the world. Both the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and The National Domestic Violence Hotline websites have links to a state coalition list of organizations. Both websites are filled with information for an abused person, resources, information for family and friends, and much more.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline number is 1-800-799-7233. Call for immediate help. Please get this information to your loved ones. It may save their life.

Remember if we can help just one victim, we’ve done our job. Have a happy week!

Katelin Maloney

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IC Publishing Blog Tour—Navigating the Writing Path: From Start to Finish

7/16/2014

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Hello Everyone!

Thank you to Clifford Rush, a husband and wife writing team, for inviting me to participate in this blog tour, sponsored by IC Publishing. Clifford Rush's new mystery trilogy explores the question: “What if the antichrist controlled the internet?” You can learn more at www.cliffordrush.com. I enjoyed reading their short story, No Eye Has Seen and am looking forward to their upcoming novel, No Mind Has Conceived.

I am currently working on Drowning, women’s fiction dealing with domestic violence. I started writing this story a few years ago and was inspired by a dream. A dream? Yes, I had a dream about the main plot and the next day I worked out subplots in my mind while playing basketball with my son in my driveway.

I didn’t outline the novel. I’d never written any fiction and had studied finance in grad school. What business did I have writing a book? My dream wouldn’t die and the characters became real to me. I sat down and started writing a very bad rough draft and continued to the end.

I waited to do any research needed until after the draft was complete. I just wanted to get the story down and continue with the creative process.

I’ve always found it easy to continue to work on Drowning because I am driven by the theme of raising awareness to issues of domestic violence. This is something I am passionate about and it motivates me to keep working. I feel I am giving a voice to victims of abuse.

I try to write or edit every day, but sometimes life gets in the way. On days that I’m not feeling creative, I’ll edit. It has taken a long time to decide if my story is ready for publication, but Drowning should be ready to be professionally edited in a couple of months. It’s hard to imagine my journey being complete because I’ve been involved with it for so long.

I feel that reading books in the genre that you’re writing in is very helpful to the writing process. I’ve read many women’s fiction books in the last several years. Also, books about the craft of writing have helped me tremendously, especially because I never received formal training. Workshops and conferences have educated me as well.

If you’d like to sign up for my weekly blog, click here.

I’d like to welcome Caroline Abbott and Tiffany Mason to continue the blog tour.

Caroline Abbott is a Christian domestic violence advocate who was in an emotionally abusive marriage for twenty years. Because of her faith, she was determined to honor her marriage vows, but didn't realize she was being abused. When the abuse escalated until she feared for her life, she got a restraining order, filed for divorce, and got her life back. Today, Caroline is remarried, and she and her husband have many children between them. She spent seven years writing her book, A Journey through Emotional Abuse: from Bondage to Freedom. Her book tells her story, but mostly focuses on helping other women determine whether they are being abused. If so, the book helps them decide whether to stay, or if they decide to leave, how to do it safely.

Caroline dedicates her life now to helping and encouraging other abused women via Facebook, on Twitter (@Caroline_Abbott), and her website and blog www.carolineabbott.com. She is currently writing her second book, "A Journey to Healing after Emotional Abuse."

Tiffany Mason is a speaker, coach, and author. Her upcoming book, The Power of Adversity, will discuss how to move on from a traumatic event. Her business focuses on inspiring and empowering married women to unleash their feminine essence in life and marriage. A few of the services she offers are life, group, and marriage coaching, workshops and training.

She can be reached at www.tiffanymason.com, on twitter (@_TiffanyMason), and on Facebook.

Thanks again to Clifford Rush and IC Publishing for inviting me on this blog tour!

Remember if we can help just one woman, we’ve done our job.

Katelin Maloney

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St. Johns Business Network 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit Betty Griffin House

7/14/2014

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Goody Bags for the Golf Tournament!

Hello Everyone!

Yesterday, July 13th, 2014, the St Johns Business Network 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament was held to benefit Betty Griffin House at the Royal St Augustine Golf Club.

There was a great turnout of golfers and volunteers. Some very generous companies sponsored a prize for a hole-in-one: Ocean Grove RV to win an RV, Pop-A-Lock to win $15,000, and Rulon Company and Beaver Toyota to win a Toyota Tundra.

St. Johns Business Network was the main sponsor of the event. It is a professional organization of businesses in St. Johns County, Florida. They support each other and build community awareness of their businesses and sponsor charitable events.

All of the proceeds raised will go to Betty Griffin House. Betty Griffin House is a community based, private, non-profit organization that provides numerous services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, ranging from shelter services to confidential counseling to legal advocacy with many other support services available. Betty Griffin House is located in St Augustine and serves all of St Johns County, FL residents.

It was great seeing all of these people and organizations working together and having fun to raise money and awareness to ending domestic violence.

Remember, if we can help just one victim, we’ve done our job.

Have a great week!

Katelin Maloney

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Men and their role in stopping Domestic Violence

7/6/2014

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Hello Everyone!

Men and women are both victims of domestic abuse at an alarming rate. Today I’d like to discuss the man’s role in preventing domestic violence against women.

Most men are kind, loving, and non-violent. A small percentage of men are violent and/or verbally abusive to women.

Domestic violence organizations are run by mostly women. Women take an active role in preventing domestic violence and seem to be more aware of the issue. Does this mean that all men are not involved or don’t realize the severity of the problem?

No.

During my research, I’ve found some wonderful organizations that raise awareness to domestic violence. One amazing organization is A CALL TO MEN. From their website: “A CALL TO MEN educates boys and men to shift social and cultural norms that define manhood. A CALL TO MEN believes that preventing domestic and sexual violence is primarily the responsibility of men. Although historically it has been almost entirely women who have been at the forefront addressing this issue, we think it is essential that men play a primary role in the solution. To do that, well-meaning men…men who, for the most part don’t see themselves as part of the problem…need to get involved.” 1

This is just one of many organizations that exist to help with gender equity issues. Click here to find a list of similar groups. (This list doesn’t include every male-led organization dedicated to this topic.)

What can men do besides join an organization?

They can model good behavior in their family, in society, among friends, in their religious organization, and at work.

Men can be vigilant and look for signs that a woman is being abused. They can help and comfort that woman, just as a woman may come to her aid.

Men can educate other men. Have discussions about domestic violence and brainstorm about what can be done.

Men can impact boys and their views on the treatment of girls and women by sending positive messages. Families, teachers, mentors, and coaches all play a role in how boys view girls.

Men can seek counseling if they grew up in an abusive home to make sure they don’t repeat the pattern.

Men want to help. They can help. They can make a big difference in stopping domestic violence among women.

Remember, if we can help just one victim, we’ve done our job.

Katelin Maloney

1) www.acalltomen.org

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Resources for Domestic Violence Victims on vacation

IC Publishing Blog Tour—Navigating the Writing Path: From Start to Finish

St. Johns Business Network 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament to benefit Betty Griffin House

Men and their role in stopping Domestic Violence

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