Ruth was the first person besides the police and a hotline volunteer who I ever told about my situation. She believed me when I was afraid I would never be believed. She connected me with a therapist who has been helping me heal from PTSD, and one of her volunteers accompanied me on my first court appointment (I had no idea how much I needed that support or how much it would help). She was a star supporter on my road to getting safe and getting better. I am a man who was married to an abusive woman. I waited three weeks before contacting Ruth, worried that a man would not be welcome. I was wrong. I owe her so much. You may be surprised, but a male being abused is not uncommon at all. If a man is not willing to use his strength to defend himself, is not willing to leave (in my case, due to commitment to a lifelong relationship and to caring for my children every day), the playing field becomes leveled, and he can become vulnerable to destructive behavior. I am grateful to Ruth and all of the women and men who have championed for DV survivors. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We all must stand together. Thank you, Ruth!
I have had the opportunity to volunteer for WomenSV over the past four years. The organization has provided resources and support to well over a thousand women since its inception. Ruth Van Darlene is a champion for the cause of domestic violence. She is constantly spotlighting her cause as a speaker, through editorials, guest appearances in the media, educating the medical, legal communities and police force of the different faces of domestic violence. She has gained wide spread recognition throughout the community and beyond. WomenSV fills a void in an area riddled with wealth and high powered men serving their spouses and others in need of safety. I am proud to be a part this cause. I am proud of the work that WomenSV does and where it is going.
I have been a volunteer with WomenSV for 4 years now and have found it extremely rewarding. Ruth has assisted so many women in our area work through extremely difficult situations. This is a very important service that she provides. I encourage all of you to contribute and assist WomenSV support this service in our community.
Having worked with the court system, I saw cases of wealthy, powerful men accused of domestic violence and abuse. Often the response was that the family had money, the husband an upstanding member of the community, so they did not need to be in the court system. Comments were made that the wife could just leave. There was no real appreciation of the dilemma faced by these women. They did not have access to typical services because their family income was too high. Service providers assumed that the women could just leave. I was appalled each time this happened. That is why I decided to volunteer for WomenSV. Women SV serves a unique need in our community. The services and support serve the entire community, educating all about the very real dangers of domestic violence and abuse across the entire economic spectrum.
WomenSV helped and believed me when no-one else did. This is truly one of the best organizations and only one of its kind. We need this organization to expand throughout the US. The money raised from events like the Gilded Cage event go to help so many women in a demographic otherwise ignored by government agencies.
I have been a volunteer of this very significant organization for 3 years. The organization focuses on abuse of partners by powerful men in our affluent communities. Unfortunately this is an all too common a situation in our community. Ruth and her team do a phenomenal job in assisting the ladies regain safety and control in their lives and at the same time education the community and community services in this all too common situation.
WomenSV addresses a problem that is often hidden but all too common: abuse of partners by powerful men in affluent communities. In addition to supporting the women directly the organization also educates the community, including police officers, attorneys, district attorneys, physicians, and therapists, about the issues related to domestic abuse.