LatinaLista — Though it’s the season of Halloween and people of all ages will be painting their faces to stand out in a crowd of costume-wearers, there’s one small group who paint their faces every day to hide themselves from their families and friends.
They are victims of domestic violence. Bruised faces and arms, split lips, black eyes are just a few of the signs that something is not right with a person who may be a mother, a girlfriend or boyfriend or even children.
This week, Casa Esperanza, launched the national Hope Campaign.
The Hope Campaign was created to challenge people across the country to take action in their daily lives to create a world free from domestic violence.
At the campaign’s web site, visitors will find a pledge to sign to exemplify their commitment to create healthy relationships, fact sheets on the signs of domestic violence and teen dating violence and how to participate with the campaign’s partner organization Verizon Wireless’ HopeLine program, where old cell phones are recycled and given to victims of domestic violence.
Research finds that a woman living with domestic violence will reach out to a friend before a shelter or a police officer. It’s up to every individual to answer that need, or at the least, recognize that there is something hidden behind their perpetual masks.
