A recent workshop held by Community Prevention Alternatives for Families in Crisis focused on educating individuals about domestic violence and the need for the community to take a stand against it.
The organization was incorporated on February 14, 2006. Its Executive Director is Martha Flores-Vazquez, who is also a District Leader in the 22nd Assembly District.
Flores-Vazquez said that when her mother came to the United States from Puerto Rico, she was a victim of domestic violence. At the time, Flores-Vazquez was two years old. Along with having witnessed that domestic violence, she was also in relationships where it was present during the years, until she finally got out of them around 1987.
“That’s [when] I really became an advocate for victims of domestic violence,” she said.
As a pre-Women’s History Month event, Community Prevention Alternatives held a workshop at Flushing Hospital on Saturday, February 28.
In defining what domestic violence is Flores-Vazquez said that it “is a pattern of coercive behavior that is used by a person against a family or household member…to gain power or control.” She said that such behavior can include physical violence, sexual abuse, emotional and psychological intimidation, verbal abuse, threats of stalking, isolation from friends and family, economic control, destruction of personal property and animal cruelty.
Flores-Vazquez also pointed out that anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, regardless of race, economic status, education, religion, sexual orientation or gender.
“Domestic violence is not a private matter,” Flores-Vazquez said during the workshop, which was given in English and Spanish.
Explaining that domestic violence begins at home with the parents, Flores-Vazquez said that children will model such behavior, which can lead to joining a gang and taking the violence into the community. She said that it can traumatize children and destroy their ability to feel safe in the world.
Also, Flores-Vazquez said that domestic violence can carry over into the workplace.
“The community has to get involved in this problem,” she said. “If you see that something is going on, you have to say something. This problem of violence will never be resolved unless the community comes together to address it.”
Recently elected Councilmember Julissa Ferreras said that the community has to help one another and, when a child has issues, it is the community’s responsibility to save them.
“When we talk about domestic violence, domestic violence is something that has really torn apart many homes in our community,” Ferreras said.
A representative of Councilmember John Liu’s office was also present, and refreshments were sponsored by Assemblymember Grace Meng.
During the workshop, attendees filled out domestic violence assessment questionnaires. Flores-Vazquez found that 18 case files need domestic violence intervention and free counseling, 14 are borderline and need prevention and early intervention and five were assessed for parent counseling.
Flores-Vazquez also handed out a domestic violence safety plan.
The next workshop will be held in Corona. Flores-Vazquez said there are plans to do sessions in other areas of Queens, and possibly even in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
The Community Prevention Alternatives for Families in Crisis hotline number is 718-460-9514. Flores-Vazquez can also be reached by calling 718-909-4634 or e-mailing Mfloresvazquez@aol.com.
