CULLMAN, Ala. – Victim Services of Cullman’s second annual Masquerade Ball will take place Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 6-10 p.m. at Brick Haven.
The innaugural Masquerade Ball was held in 2019. Due to COVID-19, the event was canceled the last two years.
VSOC Executive Director Carol Horstman said, “The inspiration for the Masquerade Ball was to bring the community together for a big event in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It gives everyone a chance to play ‘dress up,’ and at the same time, show survivors of domestic violence that this community cares.”
Proceeds from the ball go to VSOC’s emergency shelter, which provides a safe and peaceful place for women and children to heal and rebuild their lives after abuse.
Tickets are $50. All donations are tax deductible. Tickets include a five-course meal, music, live auction and silent auction. Tickets can be purchased at Peoples Bank of Alabama, Gateway Mortgage, VSOC and at https://tinyurl.com/VSOCBall.
October was established as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1987 to bring attention to the forms of domestic violence and the resources available for those who have experienced it.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, “Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.”
Domestic violence can happen to anyone. It not only affects those who are abused, but also family members, friends, co-workers, other witnesses and the community at large.
VSOC was established in 1991 to provide crisis prevention and recovery programs for families impacted by domestic violence and survivors of sexual assault. All services are provided at no cost.
Horstman shared some of the signs that might suggest someone you know is in an abusive relationship: his or her partner doesn’t like it when he/she spends time with family and friends, he or she starts abruptly canceling plans, he or she is noticeably unhappy more often, his or her partner often uses rough language or speaks down to her/him.
Victims should be approached about the subject of domestic violence with compassion. Letting victims know that they are not to blame, and that help is available when they are ready, is important.
To find out more about VSOC, visit www.victimservices.online or call the administrative office at 256-775-2600.
If you are in a domestic violence situation, call the VSOC 24-Hour Crisis Line at 256-734-6100, Spanish Line at 256-708-4769 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
Copyright 2022 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
