The Nation's Weekly Article

Kasandra Perkins Did Not Have to Die

Jessica Valenti on December 5, 2012 - 11:40 AM ET

Photo via Instagram

A good person. Genuine. Pleasant. Nice. Hard-working. A family man. The media has used all of these terms to describe Jovan Belcher after he murdered Kasandra Perkins, shooting her nine times. In fact, these glowing descriptors are all from just one article in The New York Times. But don’t worry, there are plenty of pieces sharing lovely sentiments about the man who killed his girlfriend, the mother of his barely 3-month-old daughter.

While mainstream media and supporters of Belcher have no problem spouting off flattery, most are hesitant to call what happened domestic violence. They’ve gone out of their way to suggest that Belcher murdered Perkins—who friends called ‘Kasi’—because of sustained head injuries or because of alcohol or drug abuse. A police officer, Sgt. Richard Sharp, has even suggested that Belcher committed suicide after killing Kasi because “he cared about her.”

“I don’t think he could live with himself,” he said. What a romantic.

It’s horribly offensive to laud a man who murdered his girlfriend and left his daughter parentless. It’s also irresponsible. When the media reports domestic violence murders as random tragedies—or when individuals say the perpetrator must have “snapped”—they enable a culture of violence against women. Because when you don’t contextualize this violence as part of structural misogyny, you give credence to the myth that there was nothing anyone could have done to stop it.

Insisting that this murder or others like it are “unthinkable” or “shocking” is another way of saying that no one could have predicted it. (He was such a nice guy! A family man!) It’s a dangerous lie that allows us to wash our hands of responsibility when it comes to the violence that is perpetrated against women. Because the truth is that murders like this are predictable.

As Casey Gwinn, President of the National Family Justice Center Alliance, wrote,

Relationships do not go from healthy, happy and functional to murder-suicide overnight. It never happens. There is almost always a history and there is always a pattern. Over time it will be clear that friends, family, and colleagues knew things and saw things and did not take action.

Indeed, it has now come out that Belcher had a history of violence and controllingness in relationships with women. While at the University of Maine, campus police reports were filed when Belcher punched his fist through a window during a fight with a woman and again when police were called to break up an argument he had with his girlfriend after she failed to check in with him at a designated time. Belcher’s relationship with Kasi has repeatedly been called strained—so much so that the Kansas City Chiefs provided the couple with relationship counseling. (Which is actually not the right move, according to domestic violence experts.)

Reports indicate that Kasi was leaving or had left Belcher with their daughter. Women are most likely to be killed by their abusive partners when they try to leave—in fact, victims who leave an abusive relationship have a 75 percent higher risk of being murdered. Pregnancy and childbirth exacerbate violent relationships and young black women are eleven times more likely than white women to be murdered while they are pregnant or in the year after childbirth.

This is not rocket science—we know how women die when they are killed by their partners. We know what precedes it and we know what the relationship looks like before it happens.

We also know the excuses that are made for the men who kill. When University of Virginia student and lacrosse player George Huguely V beat his ex-girlfriend (she had just left him) Yeardley Love to death, he insisted it was because of an alcohol problem. Articles said he snapped. I’m sure his friends liked him. People were shocked. But in the weeks leading up to her death, Huguely sent Love an e-mail threatening to kill her, and witnesses had seen him physically abusing her.

There is a pattern that makes murders like Kasi’s and Love’s predictable and preventable. The only thing that seems to be questionable is the public responsibility and response to this violence.

In the wake of Kasi’s murder, Chiefs quarterback Brady Quinn said, “I know when it happened, I was sitting and, in my head, thinking what I could have done differently. When you ask someone how they are doing, do you really mean it? When you answer someone back how you are doing, are you really telling the truth?”

We have a moral obligation to take responsibility for the people in our lives, in our families and in our communities. Kasi Perkins did not have to die. We have to stop pretending that her murder and those like it are a shock or “random” tragedies. It may give some comfort to believe as much, but it’s not the truth. And don’t we owe her at least that much?

For more from Jessica Valenti, check out “She Who Dies with the Most ‘Likes’ Wins?” And sign up for Feminist Roundup, The Nation’s weekly newsletter, here.



October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone, yet the problem is often overlooked, excused, or denied. This is especially true when the abuse is psychological, rather than physical. Noticing and acknowledging the signs of an abusive relationship is the first step to ending it. No one should live in fear of the person they love. If you recognize yourself or someone you know in the following warning signs and descriptions of abuse, reach out. There is help available:

 Domestic Violence Services of Dutchess County*

*Formerly known as Battered Women's Services

Hotline: 845-485-5550

Recognizing the warning signs of domestic violence and abuse:

It's impossible to know with certainty what goes on behind closed doors, but there are some telltale signs and symptoms of emotional abuse and domestic violence. If you witness any warning signs of abuse in a friend, family member, or co-worker, take them very seriously.

People who are being abused may:

• Seem afraid or anxious to please their partner.
• Go along with everything their partner says and does.
• Check in often with their partner to report where they are and what they’re doing.
• Receive frequent, harassing phone calls from their partner.
• Talk about their partner’s temper, jealousy, or possessiveness.

Warning signs of physical violence:

People who are being physically abused may:

• Have frequent injuries, with the excuse of “accidents.”
• Frequently miss work, school, or social occasions, without explanation.
• Dress in clothing designed to hide bruises or scars (e.g. wearing long sleeves in the summer or sunglasses indoors).

Warning signs of isolation:

People who are being isolated by their abuser may:

• Be restricted from seeing family and friends.
• Rarely go out in public without their partner.
• Have limited access to money, credit cards, or the car.

The psychological warning signs of abuse

People who are being abused may:

• Have very low self-esteem, even if they used to be confident.
• Show major personality changes (e.g. an outgoing person becomes withdrawn).
• Be depressed, anxious, or suicidal.

Speak up if you suspect domestic violence or abuse

If you suspect that someone you know is being abused, speak up! If you’re hesitating—telling yourself that it’s none of your business, you might be wrong, or the person might not want to talk about it—keep in mind that expressing your concern will let the person know that you care and may even save his or her life.

Do:

• Ask if something is wrong.
• Express concern.
• Listen and validate.
• Offer help.
• Support his or her decisions.

Don’t:

• Wait for him or her to come to you.
• Judge or blame.
• Pressure him or her.
• Give advice.
• Place conditions on your support.

Remember, abusers are very good at controlling and manipulating their victims. People who have been emotionally abused or battered are depressed, drained, scared, ashamed, and confused. They need help to get out, yet they’ve often been isolated from their family and friends. By picking up on the warning signs and offering support, you can help them escape an abusive situation and begin healing.

Adapted from: NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence

Working Together to Cut Out Domestic Violence

Come Get Your Hair Cut
to Support Victims of Domestic Violence

Join us at Renee's Hair Salon for haircuts, food, fun, prizes and more! All proceeds support Family Services' Battered Women's Services Program.

When: February 17, 2012
11:00am to 6:00pm

Where: Renee's Hair Salon
2649 East Main Street
Wappingers Falls, NY

For more information please call Renee Serino at 845-297-0069 or Kathy Graham at 845-452-1110 x3202. If you or someone you know is in need of domestic violence services please call our 24 hour hotline at 845-485-5550.

Leah Feldman receives the 2011 Family Services' President's Award

Leah Feldman, the Project Coordinator for the Universal Response to Domestic Violence, is the recipient of Family Services’ 2011 President’s Award. The award is given to an employee who distinguishes and exemplifies the values we espouse at Family Services.

In the past year Domestic Violence services and systems have been undergoing a high degree of scrutiny. Leah Feldman has been at the forefront of that analysis and has been charged with strengthening the universal response to domestic violence in Dutchess County during this critical time. A comprehensive review of the system was completed for the Dutchess County Legislature, which included a comprehensive package of recommendations. These recommendations led to an increase in funding for services, despite cuts in many other areas. It also led to an increase in offender accountability measures and changes in State legislation. Leah has brought knowledge and skill to the discussions as well as a great degree of poise under trying circumstances. Her professionalism coupled with a quiet strength has earned her the respect and admiration of a host of stakeholders. Leah’s oral and written presentation skills are of the highest quality, and as such she is often cited in the media, bringing credibility and positive exposure as well as increasing access to services for victims and survivors. She has been able to foster and deepen collaborations, provide leadership and innovation, and advocacy that is far reaching and sustainable. Leah demonstrates a deep commitment to the cause as well as to her colleagues and is perceived as a trusted advisor and leader to many within Family Services.

Congratulations Leah on this well deserved honor!

Domestic Violence: High Risk Case Conferencing Training

On October 14^th Family Services, Inc. along with the Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office, the Dutchess County Legislature, and the generous support of the United Way of Dutchess County, sponsored a domestic violence training focused on high risk case conferencing. While our community has a very strong coordinated response to domestic violence, the increase in domestic violence homicides in the past year has prompted the community to critically examine the established systems. New and innovative approaches are needed to increase the safety of victims and accountability of offenders.

The training was focused on a model of high risk case conferencing that uses a research based approach to identifying and addressing high lethality cases of domestic violence. The training involved a multi-disciplinary team with representatives from a variety of systems and agencies including, Family Services, Inc., the District Attorney’s Office, the Dutchess County Legislature, Grace Smith House, the House of Hope, the New York State Police, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office, the Town of Poughkeepsie Police, the City of Poughkeepsie Police, Vassar College, Marist College, Dutchess Community College, Health Families of Dutchess County, the Mediation Center of Dutchess County, the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, Mental Hygiene, Probation, Child Protective Services, the medical field, and community members.

This training has initiated the development of a high risk case conferencing team to address highly lethal cases in Dutchess County. As part of this project we will also be engaging systems and agencies in the community to utilize lethality assessments and refer high risk cases to the team. While service providers and law enforcement are already using lethality assessments, it is crucial for other systems and agencies to use them as well. This training will enhance Dutchess County’s ability to protect victims and hold offenders accountable.  

 “I think that the high risk training was very useful.  The knowledge that we gained will allow us to use Dutchess County’s existing coordinated response to identify and prioritize cases involving indicators of elevated risk to victims.  Having all the participants assembled for this training really generated discussion of the practical details that will make high risk case conferencing a valuable enhancement to Dutchess County’s response to domestic violence.” - Marjorie Smith, Bureau Chief

Special Victim’s Bureau, Dutchess County District Attorney’s Office

Article on triple homicide imbalanced

The following letter to the Editor, written by Leah Feldman, Project Coordinator, Universal Response to Domestic Violence, was published by the Poughkeepsie Journal on October 25, 2011.

After a tragedy such as the recent triple homicide in Westchester County, it is hard for family and friends to accept that their loved one could commit such a crime. It is far easier to point out victim flaws as a way of blaming the victim for the atrocities committed against her. We assume that the victim is to blame for what happened, or worse, that the victim deserved it.

The article "Westchester murder-suicide described; friends suggest wife's 'belittling' of husband played role," (Oct. 20) is an imbalanced article that does not take into consideration any perspective from the victim's family.

When a man kills his wife and children, why do we look for her faults? Why do we ask how she drove him to it? It is easy to say that the relationship was toxic. It is easy to say the victim had flaws. No matter the reality of their relationship, no matter the stimulus, there is no justification for homicide as a response.

While we do not know the reality of this couple's relationship, we do know that domestic violence is a pattern of power and control, and we do know that the ultimate control is taking someone's life. Domestic violence is an epidemic in our society, claiming the lives of many women and children. We must look to end this epidemic by holding people accountable for their actions, not by pointing fingers at the victim.

Leah Feldman

Project Coordinator, Universal Response to Domestic Violence

Dept of Labor Report: Women's Employment During the Recovery

Link to full report:  http://www.dol.gov/_sec/media/reports/femalelaborforce/

In 2010, women represented 46.7 percent of the United States labor force, a slightly larger share than at the start of the recession in 2007. Overall 71.9 million women were employed or looking for work, representing 58.6 percent of all women aged 16 and over.

As the overall workforce has become more diverse, so have working women. Among women in the labor force, 13.1 percent are black, 4.7 percent are Asian and 12.8 percent are of Hispanic ethnicity. Along all racial groups, men are more likely to be employed than are women, however black women are almost as likely as black men to be employed — a fact that reflects the lower likelihood of black men working compared to other men. The gender gap is widest among Hispanics — as Hispanic men are more likely than other men to be employed, while Hispanic women are less likely than other women to be employed.
Women are nearly twice as likely as men to work part time. In 2010, 26.6 percent of women worked part time compared to just 13.4 percent of men. More women are currently working part-time than were doing so prior to the recession, reflecting the increase in women working part-time because they can't find full-time work. One in five women working part-time are doing so because they can't find full-time work. Prior to the recession, less than one in ten women working part-time were doing so because they couldn't find full-time work.

Women are nearly 50 percent more likely to work in the public sector than are men with 18.2 percent of employed women working in public sector jobs. Despite this high concentration in a heavily unionized sector — 36.2 percent of those working in the public sector are members of unions compared to 6.9 percent of those in the private sector — women are less likely to belong to a union than are men. In 2010, 11.1 percent of women were union members, compared to 12.6 percent of men.¹
 
Women are less likely to be self-employed, only 5.5 percent, compared to 8.3 percent of men.² However, women-owned businesses are growing rapidly. According to the most recent Census Bureau Survey of Business Owners (2007), the number of women-owned businesses grew by 20.1 percent between 2002 and 2007, compared to 5.5 percent for men-owned firms. In 2007, the Census counted 7.8 million women-owned business, representing 28.7 percent of all nonfarm businesses in the US.

Women surpass men in educational attainment. Among the employed ages 25 and over, 37.1 percent of women have at least a bachelor's degree compared to 34.9 percent of men. Because women are less likely than men to be in the workforce, female college graduates are still outnumbered by male college graduates in the labor force. However, women with a bachelor's degree outnumber men by 1.6 million in the population as a whole and women are a growing share of college graduates. As such, women college graduates are likely to outnumber male college graduates in the labor force in the near future.

Half of all women working as full-time wage and salary workers earned $669 or more per week in 2010. This median weekly wage was 81.2 percent of that earned by men. Asian women earned the most among women in 2010 — with half of all Asian women earning $778 or more. Hispanic women earned the least, with half of all Hispanic women earning $508 or more per week (and thus half earning less).
The unemployment rate averaged 8.6 percent among women in 2010. Data for March 2011 shows that the economic situation is improving for women, who have seen their unemployment rate decline to 8.3 percent.

However, while the private sector has added 1.7 million jobs over the past 12 months, the public sector has lost nearly 400,000. Since women are disproportionately likely to work in the public sector, their unemployment decline has been smaller than that experienced by men. The unemployment rate for men averaged 10.5 percent in 2010 and has declined to 9.3 percent in March 2011. However women continue to have a lower unemployment rate than men, are less likely to be long-term unemployed, and have a median duration of unemployment that was 1.9 weeks shorter than men's in 2010.

Footnotes

¹Union membership refers to members of a labor union or an employee association similar to a union. However, some workers are represented by unions despite not belonging to a union themselves. In 2010, 12.4 percent of women and 13.8 percent of men were either union or employee association members or workers who report no union affiliation but whose jobs are covered by a union or an employee association contract.
²Self-employed refer to self-employed workers whose businesses are unincorporated.

Join Us Today at the Unity March

Unity March to end domestic violence!  May 10, 2011

Domestic violence service providers in Dutchess County invite you to join us in unity.  We will take to streets of the City of Poughkeepsie to rally against domestic violence.  Please join us as we support all victim services and honor victims and survivors of domestic violence. Your commitment to join us will demonstrate our strength in numbers and dedication to ending the violence.

For more information please contact Leah Feldman, Project Coordinator, Universal Response to Domestic Violence, at 845-486-2335 or lfeldman@co.dutchess.ny.us

GPS surveillance plan under review in Dutchess

Leah Feldman, Coordinator of the Universal Response to Domestic Violence, wrote the following opinion piece that was featured in the Poughkeepsie Journal on April 24, 2011.

Recent domestic violence homicides have prompted a community-wide effort to improve victim safety and offender accountability. As outlined in our October report to the Legislature, the Citizen's Advisory Committee on Domestic Violence has considered and recommended many different initiatives — including the GPS tracking of domestic violence offenders.

While GPS has been used successfully in locations other than New York, it has not been implemented in other than limited pilot projects in this state. Significant study and planning must be completed before GPS can be operational in Dutchess County. The committee is actively engaged in that task so that responsible recommendations can be made to the Legislature.

GPS can alert law enforcement agencies and victims whenever an offender enters a restricted zone. An electronic bracelet placed on the offender sends a signal to a computer allowing police to immediately contact the victim and also dispatch an officer to the location, buying a victim crucial time to find safety.

People assume that victims will enter a shelter if they are at risk. The reality is that there are obstacles for women entering shelters, and the forms of protection given by the system are limited. Under the current law, offenders are legally entitled to have bail set and work is under way to amend the law to allow a judge to consider the safety of a victim when considering bail. GPS tracking can provide constant offender monitoring when the accused is free after posting bail, thus allowing victims to be protected as they move about their lives.

On the surface, GPS surveillance seems like a no-brainer since it would help to enforce
the system's ability to protect a victim. Unfortunately, GPS monitoring is not always a cure-all, and implementation of the system takes extensive mobilization and resources from the community.

The technology itself presents loopholes that must be studied. These issues include the ability of the bracelets to detect offenders in the county's "no-service" zones. Use of GPS in more densely populated areas, where offenders may reside or work in closer proximity to victims, presents additional issues that must be understood prior to adoption of this new technology. Given the fact that use of this technology has no significant precedent in the State of New York, there are a multitude of legal and practical issues that must be identified and addressed before it can simply "happen."

Implementation of this system must address a process for training multiple law enforcement agencies and judges. It also needs to create a selection process to assure its deployment for appropriate offenders. We also must ensure that all community agencies are committed to use of the technology for the safe and effective implementation of the system.

Lastly, funding must be considered. Some of the costs included with the technology
are the bracelets themselves, the GPS servers and software, and the salaries for the people operating the computers 24/7.

We stand by our initial recommendation for GPS. Consideration, however, must be given to the multiple concerns that must be addressed before such a program is adopted. We are actively undertaking a comprehensive review to ensure that the plan can work, that it is affordable and that above all, it improves safety for victims. The committee, along with other local domestic violence organizations and representatives of the law enforcement community, is working to mobilize the community to explore and support this technology. The committee maintains constant contact with the county Legislature through its appointed liaison. Together we are actively working to change how the law and society treat domestic violence.

For the original article please visit:  http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011104240349
 

Please Join Us at the Unity March

Image via Wikipedia

Unity March to end domestic violence!

May 10, 2011

Domestic violence service providers in Dutchess County invite you to join us in unity.  We will take to streets of the City of Poughkeepsie to rally against domestic violence.  Please join us as we support all victim services and honor victims and survivors of domestic violence. Your commitment to join us will demonstrate our strength in numbers and dedication to ending the violence.

For more information please contact Leah Feldman, Project Coordinator, Universal Response to Domestic Violence, at 845-486-2335 or lfeldman@co.dutchess.ny.us

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

After a presentation I had given to an eighth grade class, a female student came up to me and asked me if her boyfriend was abusive if he shoved her into walls during fights.  She also expressed other abuses that were occurring and told me that she never thought he was being abusive because she was the one that always made him angry.

This is an all too common example of teen dating violence.  Many people believe that abusive relationships do not exist among teens, but abusive relationships exist in all walks of life regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, ability, and religion.  In fact, one out of three teenagers experiences abuse in their relationships.  Yet the majority of teens who are physically abused continue to date their partner.  Unfortunately, just like that eighth grade student, many of these teens do not consider what they are experiencing to be abusive.  This is why education about teen dating violence is so important.  In recent years the Battered Women’s Services Youth Domestic Violence Prevention and Education Program had educated over 2,500 students in Dutchess County each year on the warning signs of abusive relationships.  These presentations are provided free of charge in middle schools, high schools, colleges, and community programs throughout Dutchess County, and Battered Women’s Services provides follow-up counseling for any student who wants it.

This January, the US Senate passed a resolution that named February as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month.  This resolution is a testament to the important work the Battered Women’s Services Youth Domestic Violence Prevention and Education Program has been doing in the community.  The Senate has recognized the alarming statistics that show the severity of teen dating violence.  Statistics such as:

• One in every three teenage girls experience abuse in their relationship.  This is a far greater victimization rate than other forms of violence among teens.*
• Nearly 10% of teens experience physical abuse from their boyfriend or girlfriend.*
• Although most parents (82%) feel they can recognize if their child is in an abusive relationship, many parents (58%) could not correctly identify the warning signs.*
• Many students who are in abusive relationships do not recognize their relationships as abusive.*
• Relationships in which the pattern of violence started during adolescence are shown to have a greater severity of violence.*

Most importantly, the Senate has acknowledged that education is a key piece in the prevention of teen dating violence. 

           The following year, I had met the same student during another presentation as a freshman in high school.  She told me that she had dumped her boyfriend, and thanked me.  

Family Services' Youth Council
members Lindsey Graham and
Hayley Ferris working on the
Teen Dating Violence Awareness
Project at the Family Partnership Center.

For over thirty years the Battered Women’s Services Youth Domestic Violence Prevention and Education Program has done an incredible amount of work towards educating teenagers in Dutchess County about the dangers of dating violence, but there is always more work to do.  If you would like to discuss ways to help address teen dating violence, or if you are interested in having someone come and speak about this topic please contact Katherine Raynor, the Youth Domestic Violence Prevention and Education Coordinator, at 452-1110 x3344, or kraynor@familyservicesny.org.  If you are being abused in your relationship, or if someone you know is being abused, please call our 24-hour hotline to speak to a counselor: (845) 485-5550

For more information about teen dating violence, please visit http://www.loveisrespect.org/

*Please visit http://www.womenspolicy.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=10378 for more information on this resolution.

Come Thank These Great Volunteers, Feb. 17, 4-5:30, Family Partnership Center

Sue West, President

From Sue West’s Desk

If you live in the Hudson Valley, I’d like you to join me on February 17 when Family Services will be honoring the volunteers who give of their time and talents to make it possible for people in the Valley to help themselves manage some of the toughest problems families have to face.

Every year we hold a reception to say thank you to Family Services’ volunteers. In addition, our employees nominate two volunteers to honor for outstanding service to the community. This year we honor Sarah Beaumont and Dennis Dean.

Volunteering comes from the heart, from the passion a person feels for some issue or the compassion they have for people in need.

Sarah’s passion is helping victims of domestic violence. For four years, starting as an intern, she has volunteered on the hotline, counseled victims, advocated for their rights, educated legislators, provided childcare so mothers attend the Battered Women’s support group, participated in teen dating violence prevention education for middle and high school students, and helped to train new volunteers.  And, that doesn’t count adopting a family at Christmas.

In addition to her time and energy, Sarah brings a special understanding and knowledge of working with women and children with disabilities. She has done all this while finishing college, establishing herself as a young graduate, and starting a career.

Dennis’s passion is Poughkeepsie’s adolescents – providing them not only safety, hot food, and recreation at TRAC every day, but nurturing and mentoring them so that they can learn to be good citizens and parents in the future. You may know Dennis as a TRAC employee, but his commitment far exceeds a paid gig. When funding for TRAC evaporates, as it did last October, Dennis volunteers. As he pointed out, if we closed TRAC’s doors, we would never get them open again. He made the commitment to keep the center functioning with the same high standards established with a paid staff.

I’d like you to join me in thanking Sarah and Dennis and the many other volunteers they represent. They are helping all of us as we cope with crises, challenges, and growing pains. I hope to see you there.

Family Services Volunteer Appreciation Reception

February 17, 2011 (Snow date: 1/24)

4:00 to 5:30 pm

Family Partnership Center Cafeteria

29 North Hamilton Street

Poughkeepsie

No RSVP required

FSI Job Opening: Counselor/Advocate

Job Opening: Counselor/Advocate
FSI's Battered Women's Services seeks a caring and competent individual with a variety of skills to work with adult victims of domestic violence. BA in Human Services field preferred, but 3 years relevant experience will be considered.  Counseling, advocacy, crisis intervention, community organizing, public speaking, and related work experience preferred.  Experience in domestic violence and bi-lingual (Spanish) a plus. Applicant must be highly organized and committed to the mission of the agency. Position is part-time with benefits. Send a cover letter and resume to Danielle Massa, Program Assistant, at dmassa@familyservicesny.org

Thank You To Fairview Firefighters

Thank you to our amazing friends Mark Bendel and Robert Ridley from the Fairview Fire Department for the tremendous donation of food to our Crime Victims Assistance Program and also to our Battered Women's Services program. Your support is sincerely appreciated. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!