AVDA In the News

Since 2008, AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse) has implemented the Commit to Change: Violence Prevention Initiative in Palm Beach County as we believe one of the best ways to change individual’s beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors about domestic and dating violence is through education. In 2015, AVDA was awarded funding from the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) to specifically work with local young men and boys to prevent domestic violence through education and mentoring. Through this mentoring, and in an effort to engage young men in promoting healthy relationships, the Committed Men Campaign was developed. This campaign encourages youth to create and spread positive messages throughout the community about healthy relationships, how to prevent dating and domestic violence, and their role in ending violence for everyone. To date, the youth have created videos, key chains, posters, songs, and this comic book, titled “A Bad Rap”; sharing these messages in a relevant form to influence positive change among their peer groups. The creation of this comic book was a collaboration between AVDA’s Violence Prevention Education team, local youth involved in Committed Men, and community partners, such as local independent Hip-Hop Artist/Author, Ramon “Absoloot” Robinson . Ramon has been working together with AVDA through the violence prevention program for five years. As to why this works means so much to him, Ramon said, “I’m a better man because of the education I’ve received from AVDA. By doing the work necessary to change myself and the community I’ve become a better mentor and ultimately better husband and father.” To celebrate the release of this comic book and the Committed Men Campaign, AVDA is hosting an event to promote the message even further. Select youth, who are a part of AVDA’s Commit to Change Initiative, will hear from music industry veteran, Paul Porter, on the influence of music and media for positive change. The “Media’s Message” event will be streamed live on AVDA’s Instagram (@AVDACommits) on September 18 from 1-3PM. “We are proud of the local youth involved in the Commit to Change Program and are excited to share this comic book showcasing their work with the public,” Pam O’Brien, AVDA’s President & CEO.

CBS12 News Reporter, Luli Ortiz, interviewed AVDA's Program Services Director, Jennifer Rey, regarding the increase in domestic violence calls for help to the Delray Beach Police Department.

Supporters were glad to be back in person at AVDA’s 14th annual Heart of a Women luncheon. The silent auction was carefully outdoors, with a view of the marina at Royal Palm Yacht Club. The adjoining room looked lovely, outfitted in pale lavender, from round table centerpieces to pashminas on every seat. But AVDA’s the only local agency with a shelter and programs like a 24/7 hotline for victims of domestic violence. The pandemic locked down victims with perpetrators. So, calls for help and AVDA’s shelter were so maxed out, the agency had to put people up in hotels, said president/CEO Pam O’Brien. That news gave the fundraiser a new urgency. And keynote speaker Dr. Jackson Katz proposed a new way of approaching sexual violence he hopes will change everything. A recognized influencer and activist, his latest TED talk, “Violence Against Women is a Men’s Issue,’ Jackson has more than 2.5 million views in 27 languages. [See the link at the end of this story.] His ‘bystander approach” focuses out changing the culture by calling out bad male behavior and “reframing sexual violence.” Women have been leading this issue for 50 years, he said. “We need awareness leading to action. The only way to turn the corner is if more men join women already doing this work.” He noted the new generation of women AVDA honored at this event as the largest team at their Race for Hope and for spreading the message of violence-free behavior in teen relationships. Led by students at Pinecrest and St. Andrews schools, the S.A.V.E. Club stands for Stop Abuse and Violence Everywhere. Siena Guarini and other club leaders attended and showed a video. AVDA also honored well-known and respected Helen Babione for her decades of volunteerism and philanthropy in Boca. That’s her picture with Rosemary Krieger, another Boca philanthropist with Ben and an AVDA activist. Boca supporters also included the luncheon’s co-chairs Anne Vegso and Dr. Heidi Schaeffer, who bravely told her own story. The shelter is Casa Vegso. Among other Boca benefactors attending were Marta Batmasian and Elizabeth Dudley. Sponsors included Boca’s Schmidt Family Foundation and Boca-based businesses including Office Depot and NCCI Holdings, represented by AVDA’s board chair Vicky Mayen. Delray Beach Police Chief Javaro Sims, on AVDA’s board, was there with a table of officers in uniform. Kim and Roy Balance were the first to pledge in AVDA’s call to the heart donations. “This past year, there was an increase in domestic violence reported,” said CBS12 anchor Liz Quirantes, who emceed, citing AVDA’s “lifesaving services.” Here’s Katz’s TED Talk link: https://www.ted.com/talks/jackson_katz_violence_against_women_it_s_a_men_s_issue?language=en

The Town Crier, community news source for Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, and The Acerage, features AVDA's new secure web chat and texting in their August 14, 2020 issue.

Audrey-May Prosper still bears the scars of the domestic abuse attack that nearly took her life more than a decade ago. “The fire inside me burned brighter than the one around me,” she told a rapt audience at the 13th Annual AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse) “Heart of a Woman” luncheon Jan. 26 at the Royal Palm Yacht Club in Boca Raton.

The shelter’s statistics say it all. Four hundred women and children received emergency housing last year while another 750 received referrals to other resources because the facility was at capacity. Outreach services increased 32%. Programs for community education, professional training and violence prevention grew 136%.

La Guia News features AVDA's economic empowerment programming in their September publication.

By: Joanie Cox-Henry Contributing Writer More than 100 hot pink sashes adorned the dining room at Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club Feb. 28 as women and men gathered for AVDA’s 12th Annual Heart of A Woman Luncheon. Founder of the #MeToo movement, Tarana Burke delivered a heartfelt speech to the sold-out crowd as they dined on gourmet chicken and fish and sipped white wine. Liz Quirantes emceed the event.