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New 24 Hour Domestic Violence Help in Bradenton through Light Under The Bridge

2011-12-06T02:05:58Z

Every 15 seconds, somewhere in America a woman is battered, usually by her intimate partner. (UN Study On The Status of Women, Year 2000) Millions of people are in abusive relationships, or directly affected by one. After living in an abusive relationship, problems don’t end when victims escape the nightmare. The abuser’s psychological and physical attacks leave deep wounds that are difficult to heal unless carefully attended to in the aftermath of such trauma.

There is hope for survivors of domestic violence. A new 24 hour helpline in Bradenton has been launched by Light Under The Bridge Ministries, Non Profit. Recovery from domestic violence is a step-by-step process; a journey no one should take alone, and it begins with a simple phone call asking for help. Light Under The Bridge offers a 24 hour helpline for domestic violence victims to call for help along with an option to get out safely of that abusive relationship and immediately relocate confidentially to rebuild their lives at Light Under The Bridge's Christian Transitional Restoration Homes, Lighthouses.

Jael Heart, Women's Director at the Lighthouses, explains, "Everyone experiences domestic violence differently. The way in which you respond to and recover from your experience depends upon a number of things, which might include: the types of abuse you experienced; any past experiences of abuse and violence; the strategies you used to survive the abuse; other stress in your life; and the support or lack of support you received from friends, family and services. Whatever your experience, recovering from domestic violence is a recovery from a significant trauma. At Lighthouses, we walk the journey of healing alongside of our residents, offering them a residential atmosphere of support, love, counseling, and help."

Although difficult and painful, recovery from abuse is possible. The healing process starts with recognizing how domestic violence impacts its survivors. Survivors of domestic violence recount stories of put-downs, public humiliation, name-calling, mind games and manipulations by the abuser. Psychological scars left by emotional and verbal abuse are often more difficult to recover from than physical injuries. They often have lasting effects even after the relationship has ended. The survivor’s self-esteem is trampled in the course of being told repeatedly that she is worthless, stupid, untrustworthy, ugly or despised.

It is common for an abuser to be extremely jealous and controlling, and insist that the victim not see friends or family members. The victim may be forbidden to work or leave the house without the abuser. If the victim is employed, she often loses her job due to the chaos created by such relationships.

This isolation increases the abuser’s control over the victim and results in the victim losing any emotional, social or financial support from the outside world. This increases the victim’s dependence upon the abuser, making it more difficult to leave the relationship. If she does leave, she often finds herself totally alone and unable to support herself and her children.

Domestic violence is a traumatic experience for its victims. Traumatic experiences produce emotional shock and other psychological problems. The American Psychiatric Association has identified a specific type of mental distress common to survivors of trauma called posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Common reactions to trauma include fear, anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, guilt, shame, blame, grief, depression, being in "danger mode", jitteriness, being easily startled or distracted, concentration problems, impatience and irritability are all common to being in a “heightened state of alert” and are part of one’s survival instinct.

If you’re trying to decide whether to stay or leave, you may be feeling confused, uncertain, frightened, and torn. One moment, you may desperately want to get away, and the next, you may want to hang on to the relationship. Maybe you even blame yourself for the abuse or feel weak and embarrassed because you’ve stuck around in spite of it. Don’t be trapped by confusion, guilt, or self-blame. The only thing that matters is your safety. If you or someone you know needs help, they can call Light Under The Bridge's 24 hour helpline at (941)479-7407. To donate to support this cause, or for more information, visit www.LightUnderTheBridge.com.

Our Backyard Slaves

2011-11-14T03:32:29Z

In my years of doing street outreach ministry, I've never encountered a woman who said her childhood dream was to become a prostitute. As a matter of fact, when you speak to these women, most prostitutes began when they were teenagers (so victims of human trafficking). The stories are usually similar, they got sucked into some boyfriend's scheme, unknowingly to her a pimp just recruiting. It becomes complicated because she's brainwashed into believing this man cares for her, provides for her, loves her, buys her gifts, lavishes her with attention, yet he has this problem with pimping her out, and once she is beaten a few times she quickly realizes that she is now his property, his object to sell, and she is trapped into prostitution as a means of survival...she is his slave. This video is a story too often the reality for our young girls today, yet she found a way out by killing her pimp and now spends life in prison--from a slave to a prisoner--is this justice? http://youtu.be/qR7mno6p9iQ

Prostitutes are typically despised by the world, Christians, and the general public. They will callously drive by a prostitute on a street corner and heckle and mock her. Even more alarming is in our own backyard that churches and businesses along our infamous local 14th Street in Bradenton will openly admit to seeing van loads of women being dropped off at night to work the streets--yet where's the law enforcement while this is going on? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that van loads of women being dropped off is a sure sign of human trafficking. Anyone who is pimped out and/or owned by intimidation, abuse, coercion, brainwashing, or threats is a slave! Where's the outrage by the public? Why do we just drive by the prostitutes and not give it a second thought? Why don't we try to help them? Why do we just consider them criminals? What about the men that are purchasing these prostitutes? Don't they know that using a prostitute is just using a slave? Why are our hearts so calloused and cold that we don't even attempt to reach out? To help? To offer a way out? Is it because we are controlled by fear? Are we afraid of what the pimp will do to us? Is it out of our own selfishness and fear that we don't even offer a smile or a bottle of water to a prostitute-just an act of human kindness? That we don't even treat her with human dignity, worth, and respect?

Human Trafficking non profits are popping up more and more these days, collecting funds, and passing legislation. Yet, where's the real grass roots effort in our local neighborhoods? Is it just the latest trend? Where's the outreach, the rescue, and the restoration?

I've been putting out requests for volunteers, to form a local prostitution/human trafficking outreach team since Light Under The Bridge CAN OFFER A WAY OFF THE STREETS and an opportunity to have a new life in Christ through our program.

I'm anxious to hear from you about this topic. What are your thoughts?

copyright 2011

Light Under the Bridge, Union Gospel Mission, & White Center Food Bank HOMELESS FUNDRAISER

2011-11-11T14:25:02Z

We are so proud of our Seattle Light Under The Bridge team who go out faithfully and consistently every weekend to minister to the homeless living under the bridges in Seattle! If you're in Seattle, please support this fundraiser with Light Under The Bridge, Union Gospel Mission, and White center Food Bank.

Help fight hunger and homelessness at a fundraiser this Sunday in Shorewood

November 10th, 2011 Tracy Posted in How to Help, White Center Food Bank, White Center news | No Comments »

At a time of year when those in need are most at risk, a benefit to help fight hunger and homelessness is planned for this Sunday. Here’s the announcement we received:

Light Under the Bridge, a Homeless Christian Ministry (non-profit), is joining Union Gospel Mission and the White Center Food Bank’s fundraiser for the hungry and homeless. Featuring “A Night of Giving with Joe Arrants,” November 13th from 5:30-8 pm, at Westside Foursquare Church, 11452 26th Ave SW. We will be serving soups, salad, & bread. Hurry and buy your tickets and invite family, friends, neighbors, etc. Tickets can be bought from Jon 206-941-4301 or at the door.

Light Under The Bridge in Seattle News: http://whitecenternow.com/2011/11/10/help-fight-hunger-and-homelessness-at-a-fundraiser-this-sunday-in-shorewood/