Sidewalks turn purple

    HOULTON, Maine — The first “Chalk It Up” event, sponsored by the Hope and Justice Project, was held last Wednesday evening in Market Square.
“We were hoping to do something a little different this year,” said Leslie Gervais, Hope and Justice Project prevention educator. “Our goal stayed similar … to see friends, family and community members gather in support of domestic violence awareness, while taking a stand against domestic violence.”
    During Oct. 3, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness, Hope and Justice Project held an activity at Cary Library’s After-school story hour.
“Linda Faucher and staff have always been great about sharing their space with us in many different ways throughout the years,” said Gervais.
The children read the book, “Tails Are Not For Pulling and Hands Are Not For Hitting,” and then went outside in front of the library and “chalked up” their interpretation of the book.
“They did a fantastic job,” said Gervais.
The Hope and Justice Project wanted to get more community involvement, so at the end of their formal ceremony, Gervais asked those in attendance to “chalk up” the median strip in Market Square and to help put up purple ribbons around the town.
“We have a good turnout,” said Gervais, “and together, we can make a difference.”
Francine Garland Stark, director of the Hope and Justice Project, said fall is a time to aware of the domestic violence within the communities.
“Mostly are invisible to us,” she said. “Hope and Justice Project provided assistance to more than 1,000 people from Aroostook County in the last year. That is a sad number that we continue to provide for year after year.”
Although the staggering number shows those reaching out for help, Garland-Stark said, “that doesn’t speak to the many, many more who haven’t reached out to us yet.”
Maine State Police Detective Adam Stoutamyer noted that a large percentage of the state homicides are domestic violence related.
“The dedication and determination that the Hope and Justice Project have to help victims of domestic violence is second to none,” he said.
Stoutamyer said, on average, it will take a victim of domestic violence seven attempts to leave the situation before they actually do.
“Each attempt, the victim is walking a fine line,” he  added. “They are trying to educate themselves on what steps and/or precautions they will need to take, while at the same time, trying not to upset the abuser.”
Garland-Stark noted often what the staff of the Hope and Justice Project hear is those victims of domestic violence saying they didn’t know Hope and Justic Project was there for them.
“The most important thing we can all do to make a difference is to make sure we are doing everything we can to raise awareness, not only of domestic violence problem, but of services available to the people who are suffering domestic violence every day silently in their own homes,” she said.
A police officer for 22 years and a detective for the last 13, Stoutamyer is well aware of domestic violence cases ranging from verbal, physical to even murder.
“To me being a victim of domestic violence is different than being a victim of most other crimes,” he said.
Stoutamyer explained if someone damages property it can be fixed or if someone charges purchases to a credit card, a call to the credit card company can erase those. But, domestic violence is not that easy to correct.
“In these cases someone is trying to break you down both physically and mentally while over a period of time they can make you feel inadequate, not cared about, degraded, useless and dependent on them just to get from one day to the next,” he said. “You can’t feel safe just being you — not in your own home — no matter where you are.”
“Please do affirm your commitment every day to do whatever you can do to help people know that services are available,” said Garland-Stark. “To help people know you are someone who does not tolerate any language, any behavior  or any attitudes that apply that some people have the right to treat other people as if they are lesser than them.”
On a night of remembrance to those who lost their lives to domestic violence to celebrating those who survived, Garland-Stark wants each person to reaffirm their commitment to ending domestic violence.
“Be determined to reach people when they are young,” said Garland-Stark. “Children should not have to suffer that kind of oppression and marginalization where they can’t be part of our whole community. It is within our power to make a community that is better, that is safe in which we can all experience joy.”