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Nicky, a domestic violence survivor, never thought it would happento her. "I was just so shocked," she said Thursday at YWCA of Greenwich'sannual Old Bags Luncheon, which benefited victims of domesticviolence and the Y's Domestic Abuse Services . "I thought I was going to die." After suffering at the hands of an abusive boyfriend, Nicky, whospoke at Thursday's luncheon at the Belle Haven Club , sought out help. "I realized I had been violated," she said. With the assistance of YWCA's Domestic Abuse Services and the Greenwich Police Department , Nicky was able to sever herself from a destructive situation andreceive the counseling and assistance she needed to recover andmove forward with her life. She said she was then able to fullygrasp how damaging her then-boyfriend's actions were. "Now, in going through counseling, what I know now as signs andsymptoms of abuse, I saw as personality quirks," said Nicky, whosefull name was withheld to protect her identity. In speaking out about the ordeal, Nicky hopes to draw awareness tothe issue of domestic abuse and influence people to make changesfor the better, she said. "I hope that, in some way, I can touch people who have the abilityto make a difference," she said. Lt. Richard Cochran , head of the department's domestic violence unit, worked withNicky after she was abused, and said the unit investigates about250 cases of domestic violence each year -- about five cases perweek. "The sad part is, there's no law against psychological and verbalabuse, unless it's a threat," Cochran said. "A lot of victims don'tthink they are victims." Cochran urged anyone in a potentially abusive situation to reachout to the YWCA's Domestic Abuse Services and the police departmentimmediately. Professionals will then sit down with the individualand work with that person step-by-step through the treatment andrecovery process, which includes learning more about the earlysigns of abuse, receiving counseling, and, if the circumstanceswarrant it, obtaining a protective order. Police hope, with early reporting of domestic problems, to defuseany potentially hazardous situations before they arise, he said. Suzanne Adam, director of domestic abuse services at the YWCA, saidlast year the organization assisted more than 4,000 victims ofdomestic abuse. Like Cochran, Adam advocates for awareness events to help waylaydomestic abuse before it begins. "We do education workshops and seminars in the community," shesaid, adding that the Y's services offer a 24-hour hot line, shortterm and long term counseling, and an abuse shelter. Proceeds from the Old Bags event -- which featured about 400 bags,donated by both citizens and stores, from designers such as Coachand Dooney & Bourke -- will all go toward YWCA's Domestic AbuseServices, Adam said. Adrianne C. Singer, president and chief executive of YWCA ofGreenwich, said the event dovetails into the Y's mission ofempowering women. The organization has been treating victims of domestic abuse forthree decades, she said. "We do a lot of preventative work so that the cycle of abuse doesnot continue from generation to generation," she said, adding thatthe Greenwich community is always supportive of the event. "We're thrilled that this event is sold out every single year," shesaid. The YWCA of Greenwich is the sole licensed provider of domesticviolence services for adults and children in Greenwich. Theorganization's free, confidential and bilingual services includeindividual and group counseling, safety planning, shelter, legalinformation, court advocacy and more. The YWCA's hot line(203-622-0003) can be reached 24 hours, seven days a week. david.hennessey@scni.com; 203-625-4428. The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as China Plastic Bread Bags , Non Woven Drawstring Bags, and more. For more , please visit Non Woven Drawstring Bags today!
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