Mind Body Spirit Wellness, Inc. in benefit of the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence

For more information, please visit www.removingthemask.org.

Dr. Maiysha Clairborne, MD and MindBodySpirit Wellness cordially invites you to join us on October 29th, 2011 from 7-10 pm for an evening of food, fun, live music, entertainment, and awareness-raising at the inaugural

Removing the Mask
Domestic Violence Awareness Masquerade & Silent Auction

Located inside: The Defoor Center
1710 Defoor Avenue, NW
Atlanta, GA 30318  (just off I-75 North)

Web site: http://www.removingthemask.org

Why are we “Removing the Mask”?

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Dr. Maiysha Clairborne, CEO and founder of Mind Body Spirit Wellness decided to organize an event that would celebrate this while promoting Prevention, Education, Advocacy, Cooperation, and Empowerment to the various healthcare and advocacy communities. The event will connect healthcare providers and community advocates with the GCADV, an organization that can provide the resources and intervention strategies that will help end and even prevent domestic violence in homes and families.

Our fundraising goal is $50,000 and will benefit the GCADV, who will use the funds to support statewide programs and fund research into the disparities between cultures in domestic violence fatalities here in Georgia.

About the GCADV

Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (GCADV) is  a statewide non-profit organization that brings together member agencies, allied organizations, and supportive individuals who are committed to ending domestic violence. Guided by the voices of survivors, they work to create social change by addressing the root causes of this violence. GCADV leads advocacy efforts for responsive public policy and fosters quality comprehensive prevention and intervention services throughout the state.

Domestic Violence In Georgia

Sadly, more than one hundred Georgians lose their lives to domestic violence each year. In 2010, Georgia was named 10th highest in the nation for its rate of men killing women. Furthermore, in 2010, 71,2121 calls were answered by trained advocates on Georgia’s 24-hour Statewide Crisis Hotline. At the same time, nearly one-third of women here in Georgia experience the terrorizing effects of domestic violence in their lifetimes. The impact of this violence extends into the larger community, generating public safety and healthcare costs and reducing worker productivity. Furthermore, research has shown that child witnesses of domestic violence suffer significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, conduct disorders, and often carry the cycle of violence forward in their lives either as abusers or victims themselves. Teen dating violence is also becoming a growing issue. About one in three teenage girls in the U.S. is a victim of verbal, emotional, or physical abuse from a dating partner. Almost one in four teens report having been abused through technology. Young women aged 20-24 are at the greatest risk for nonfatal injurious intimate partner violence; from dating, cohabiting, and previous partners. People age 18 and 19 have the highest rates as stalking victims. When teens who had experienced abusive dating relationships were asked, 68% said they had not confided in their parents about the abuse.

The Community Can Make a Difference

When victims of domestic violence (male and female) were asked where they would go for assistance, they responded as follows:

• Would seek help from the police – 31.2%
• Did not know – 27.7%
• Would go to a hospital – 14.7%
• Would approach a family member – 10.7%
• Would go to a shelter – 10.7%
• Would forego assistance and simply retaliate – 3.1%

(Emedicine.com Article Overview “Domestic Violence.”)

Healthcare Providers Can Make a Difference

Healthcare providers can make a difference. However, currently there is a disconnect between the healthcare providers and the intervention resources. A recent study found that 44% of victims of domestic violence talked to someone about the abuse; 37% of those women talked to their health care  provider. Additionally, in four different studies of survivors of abuse, 70% to 81% of the patients studied reported that they would like their healthcare providers to ask them privately about intimate partner violence. An article appearing in the August 1999 issue of JAMA reported that fewer than 10% of primary care physicians routinely screen for domestic violence during regular office visits.

To learn more about the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, you may visit www.gcadv.org. Visit www.mbswellness.org to learn more about Dr. Clairborne and her practice.