Back to Domestic ViolenceAnd Who Is Joyce Zoppi????
Hello! My name is Joyce Zoppi and I work with domestic violence concerns for the Office For Social Ministries of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Through speaking engagements, I advocate for the dignity and sacredness of every individual. This web page on domestic violence will include materials from the National Council of Catholic Bishops and their pastoral response to this travesty, along with articles and in-put from several other professionals including shelters and counseling services. So that we may service you, organizations along with addresses and phone numbers will be made available. As a way of expressing your viewpoint, please feel free to use e-mail.
Domestic violence is an area of concern where our collective voice is being raised. Many years a go I attended a World Day of Prayer. A woman from another country told a story of how she and others took a stand against the injustice and inhumanity of one person abusing another. It was decided that every time a woman in this small village heard screaming and verbal abuse, she would gather her pots and pans together, run to the town square and begin banging them. Other women, upon hearing the clanging, would join in. When the verbal and physical abuse subsided, so too would the pot and pan medley. These women were sending a message to the perpetrator. "This is not acceptable behavior!" Incorporated into this action was the unspoken "shame" element. The man (95% of domestic violence is caused by men) stopped the beating because he heard the commotion outside of their hut and hopefully, he felt some sort of remorse. It was a beginning.
My work in domestic violence, thus far, has been "clanging that pan". Educating people and letting them know what domestic violence looks like, that it is real and does happen to one out of five women at sometime in their lives, is some of the work I do. Perhaps there are many "someone’s" being abused and do not even realize it. Through dialogue people begin to understand the comprehensive nature of this behavior and can start to uncover the abuse in their relationship. The word is getting out.
The other side of getting the word out on this intolerable crime becomes looking at the faces of women who have suffered at the hands of their partners. Responding to the pain and hurt go far beyond the voice calling out in the darkness.
One must try to remember and believe help is available through a variety of ways which will be indicated on this web page. Take care, know that you are special and I will be writing soon.