On Thursday, I had the pleasure of participating in the Jenesse Center’s Dance 4 Hope domestic violence prevention fundraiser with Octavia Spencer, Halle Berry and some of my NFL Network colleagues. Women, men, and children of all ages gathered at The Grove in Los Angeles and danced the night away for a great cause in the nationally recognized non-profit organization’s annual event.
Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical or sexual assault, battery or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse.
Jenesse Center Dance 4 Hope
Jenesse Center has provided more than 36 years of life-saving services dedicated to shining a light on domestic violence. By offering education, referrals, and resources, the organization works locally, nationally and globally to advocate the fundamental human right for all people to have peace in their homes and relationships. Jenesse provides a variety of support services, including mental health counseling, independent life skills classes, computer training, job referrals, after school programs for children, field trips, tutoring and comprehensive legal services that help families transition from crisis to self-sufficiency.
But to put an end to domestic violence, it takes more than just the help of non-profit organizations. At the end of the day, it’s on us. We must be proactive in educating people on what it means to maintain healthy relationships. It’s important for everybody to understand that it is not just a woman’s issue; men and children are affected by it as well. By having these difficult conversations, we can educate others and help break the generational cycle of violence.
For anonymous, confidential help available 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) now.