6 years ago a good friend of mine came to my house. She was so hysterical I could hardly understand her. She told me about how she had just escaped from her husband. He had thrown a cup of hot coffee at her and blocked her from being able to leave. When she attempted to call the police he yanked the phone away. She got in her car. He came running out and heaved a cinder block at the windshield. Her 2 small children were still there with him. We drove back to her apartment and called the police. The police kept her husband outside while we packed clothes and diapers and gathered the kids in her car to go to my house. During the next few days her husband repeatedly came to my house. I did not answer the door so he would stand on my porch and yell threats at us. My friend was so afraid he would break in and get her. I looked in the phone book and found an organization called Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Abuse. I took her with the kids down to the office. We spoke with a counselor. She made arrangements for them to go to an Emergency Safe House. Then a taxi pulled up, they were all loaded in and off to an undisclosed location. I stood on the side walk crying while the counselor comforted me.
That was my last encounter with AAFVASA until a year ago I went to see The Vagina Monologues. It is a fund raising performance that donates to AAFVASA. The Vagina Monologue activists of Bakersfield raised $9,000 in 2010 . The Vagina Monologues are performed around the world by other activists on V-Day. I signed up to get the V-Day email newsletters. I was moved when I read there was a performance done in the Congo where rape of young girls and women is at a high percentage. Many influential people were in the audience. The VM made such a positive impact on them they were determined to make a change.
In January the VM activists of Bakersfield invited women to come and audition for the March 2011 performances. I thought this would be a fun adventure. I went to try out and the directors said everyone who tried out would get a part. WOW! I was sooo excited. I would have been happy with just one line but I ended up being assigned several lines. It has been such CRAZY FUN!! We have 21 women between the ages of 20-57 in the group. We have bonded together, sharing intimate experiences of our lives. It has been like an on going teenage slumber party. I am proud to be able to present information through The Vagina Monologues to men, women and young teens, educating them about experiences women have been subjected to.
The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Abuse offer services such as support for victims of rape, assistance in filling out restraining orders, divorce documents etc., counseling, job placement, a variety of workshops on parenting, dressing for success and more. Clothes and toiletries are also provided for those who have had to leave there homes for safety.
I bought a t shirt through The VM group. It says " Vagina Warrior, Changing The World One Vagina At A Time!" When I wear it I get lots of comments of curiosity. The question most often asked is "What does that mean?" It gives me another opportunity to share about AAFVASA. I am doing my part to-STOP THE VIOLENCE!
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