Page 11 - 2018 Impact Report The Shelter for Abused Women and Children

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

While attending Florida Gulf Coast University, Jayson
enrolled in a class called “Domestic Violence: Legal
& Social Issues,” taught by The Shelter Community
Education and Training Manager. One afternoon he
remained after class.
With tears in his eyes, he told the instructor that he
identified with some of the traits of an abuser. This
frightened and concerned him. He asked if she thought
he should drop out of the class.
The instructor assured Jayson that he should not drop
out of the class, and that identifying these traits was the
first step toward change. She encouraged him to seek
help from a local batterers intervention program and
welcomed him to talk with her at any time.
At the end of the course, Jayson wrote in his class
summary, “I wish I had taken this class a long time
ago. It has shown me things about myself that I was
unable to see. I want to relearn how to be a better
man, and this class was the first stepping stone in that
direction.”
Although the focus of the class is domestic violence in
the community, Jayson learned far more about personal
dynamics within himself. With your help, education
and training are creating true social change!
Jayson

Community education and professional training provided 8,329 8,329
individuals with the tools to identify and assist victims of abuse.

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