Haven House program designed to assist clergy in helping victims

Published 6:23 pm Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Clergy are often times the first line of help sought by those suffering from domestic and/or sexual violence.

In an effort to aid those in the ministry who provide services, the Haven House Family Shelter is sponsoring a full-day workshop for faith leaders, advocates and community members to address how to better support victims of domestic and sexual violence in the Vicksburg community.

“The workshop is designed to train clergy because a lot of domestic violence victims go to their pastors as counselors before they look to seek help elsewhere,” Haven House shelter program manager Anna Tillotson said.

A press release from Haven House states that one in three woman and one in five men have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence or stalking at the hands of an intimate partner.

And according to a study of older adults, “respondents, especially minorities, often indicated that their ‘first stop’ would be a member of the clergy if they were to discuss their (abuse) with anyone.”

“Faith leaders are uniquely placed to reach out to victims and help direct them to services and safety, as long as they have the right knowledge and skills to do so,” the press release stated.

The free workshop will begin at 9 a.m., May 8 at the Alcorn State University Vicksburg campus, 3505 Pemberton Square Blvd. #5, and national speakers from the Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence will facilitate the workshop, Tillostson said.

Lunch will be available for $10. Space is limited and reservations are encouraged.

Safe Havens Interfaith Partnership Against Domestic Violence has been awarded funding by the Office on Violence Against Women to provide these trainings throughout the United States.

For more information about Safe Havens’ work, visit interfaithpartners.org/rural.

For more information about the local workshop, call 601-638- 0021.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

More by Terri Cowart