By Claudia Wald, Women’s Economic Empowerment Development Assistant
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Arab American Family Support Center (AAFSC) joined The New York State’s Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence’s (OPDV) campaign this year by wearing purple on October 17th, which has been designated as Wear Purple Day, as well as propagating flyers with affixed purple ribbons in support of the campaign. Purple is the chosen color to help spread awareness.
The Arab-American Family Support Center is committed to ending domestic violence. The Manar project was created to address the critical need for culturally and linguistically competent services for victims of domestic violence, teen dating violence, sexual assault and stalking in the Arab American community. Through our partnership with the Brooklyn Family Justice Center, victims and survivors of violence receive assistance in a safe and comfortable environment. The Manar Project offers the following free and confidential services including crisis intervention, referrals, counseling and support groups, court accompaniment, translation and interpretation assistance on a case-by-case basis, and outreach and education.
As a community-based organization, AAFSC strives to raise awareness about domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking, while endeavoring to build a safe space for victims of violence to mend and be empowered.
