Hundreds flocked to Bruce Park Sunday morning for the YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence. The event attracted all ages, groups of friends, family and co-workers alike, many with their pets.
After several days of rain, everyone enjoyed the sunshine and a change to raise awareness and funds for YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services and education.
YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence drew hundreds to Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
YWCA Greenwich President and CEO Mary Lee Kiernan (second from right) with Leslie Moriarty, David Erickson, Laura Erickson, and Lucy von Brachel at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence in Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Domestic violence is prevalent in every community and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality.
Nationally, one in four women and one in seven men will experience some form of domestic violence in their lifetime.
Nineteen percent of intimate partner violence involves a weapon.
An abuser’s access to a firearm increases the risk of intimate partner homicide by 400%.
One in five teens in the United States, in a serious dating relationship, report that they have been physically abused by their partner.
Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crimes.
Domestic violence is the most reported violent crime in the Town of Greenwich.
Last year, YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services responded to over 4,000 calls to its hotline.
The YWCA Greenwich is the only agency in Greenwich designated by the State of Connecticut to provide services to victims of domestic abuse.
YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence drew hundreds to Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence drew hundreds to Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence drew hundreds to Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey, one of the co-chairs of the event, led the walk with his wife Kia. Photo:Oct 1, 2023 Leslie Yager
Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo with his dog Teddy; Stephanie Dunn Ashley at the YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence in Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Greenwich Youth Services Bureau Administrator Danielle Jean-Guillaume Sittol, with Human Services Commissioner Demetria Nelson at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence in Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
The YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence drew hundreds to Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Lucy von Brachel, Laura Erickson and Leslie Moriarty at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence in Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Linda Romanowski and Karin Fry with Cosmos and Sadie at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence 2023. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Peggy and Scott Kalb with Babka at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence 2023. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Julia Pujadas with her mother Shannon Pujadas with “Teddy” a Clumber Spaniel at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence in Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Meredith Gold, Joe and Jill Kelly at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence in Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Hundreds attended YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence in Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Elizabeth Lynch and Judy Liu at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence 2023. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Amanda McCoy, Jonathan Flom with Biscuit, Nancy Harvey, Judy Liu with Ruby at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence 2023. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Dr. Elizabeth Lynch, DVM, shared information about Pet Partners, a program that incorporates therapy animals into physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and other rehabilitation programs. Pet Partners is the premiere therapy animal program. (More information at PetPartners.org)
Dr. Lynch said originally Pet Partners got started as The Delta Society in the 1970s. She said while there are many benefits to having pets has many benefits, 97% of domestic violence victims consider their pets when deciding to leave. In fact, she said, 75% of victims stay because of their pets.
“Pets can be a great support for people,” Lynch said. “That’s why there is a movement for ’25 by 2025,’ which is short for getting 25% of domestic violence shelters to be pet friendly by 2025.”
She said Purina’s Purple Leash Project is leading the way, with the goal of victims not being trapped in abuse because they can’t take their whole family with them to a shelter.
Lynch said the shelter at the YWCA will board dogs at Greenwich Animal Control who this year are receiving the YWCA’s award in recognition of this collaboration.
“There is federal funding to retrofit shelters to accept pets,” Lynch said. “There is a lot of support, including from companies like Purina and PetSmart, because this is such a challenge.”
Lynch noted that on Tuesday, October 17 from 12:00 to 1:30pm, the YWCA is hosting entitled, “People Pets and Abuse: the Healing Connection.“
Suzy Meth lets a member of Troop 23 hold a rescue kitten at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence in Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
The girls from Troop 23, under the guidance of Cindy DiPreta, met Suzy Meth and a kitten rescued by her rescue organization Saving Belladonna. Ms Meth said her organization does kitten and cat street rescue. They are always looking for volunteers including adopters, fosters, drivers and donors.
Ms DiPreta said this year an all girls Troop 23 from Boy Scouts of America spun off from husband Rich DiPreta’s Troop 5.
Both troops are linked with sponsor Sound Beach Volunteer Fire Dept and are open to boys and girls in grades 6-12.
Susie Meth with a rescue kitten from Bella Donna Rescue (kitten and cat street rescue) at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence 2023. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Cindy DiPreta with girls from at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence 2023. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Paula and Hector Arzeno with Jackie Budkins and her puppy Bailey B at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence 2023. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
Board of Human Services members and staff. Debbie Appelbaum, David Snyder, Danielle Sittol, Demetria Nelson, Tina Corlett and Linda Sandiaes at at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence in Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager
The YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk Against Domestic Violence drew hundreds to Bruce Park. Oct 1, 2023 Photo: Leslie Yager