In her free time and especially during the holidays, MaCara volunteers at GWS. She also recently donated her birthday on Facebook and campaigned for donations to this shelter. In addition, she participates with the domestic violence ministry “Voices that Shout” at Friendship West Baptist Church.
💜 WAYS TO SEEK HELP AND COPE
Through overcoming struggles from her abusive situation with a positive, nonviolent lifestyle, MaCara shared several ways to seek help and cope with domestic violence:
📌 How can a person in an abusive situation seek help?
Genesis Women’s Shelter (GWS) is a great organization for those who are experiencing domestic violence or survivors of domestic violence and can be contacted via phone at 214-946-4357. GWS offers free and confidential services, including counseling, emergency shelter, and long term housing. The shelter will also help with developing an escape plan that will allow one to act fast when his/her life is in immediate danger from abuse.
Parkland Hospital offers a 24/7 Victim Intervention Program (VIP)/Rape Crisis Center, which can be contacted via phone at 214-590-0430. Parkland has a wealth of additional helpful resources. For example, Parkland connected MaCara with a plastic surgeon that helped diminish some of her physical scars from the act of domestic violence that she experienced.
📌 What advice should be followed by those that have experienced domestic violence?
Please get help.
Do not stay in a relationship with anyone who is abusing you in any way, shape, form, or fashion.
There are places you can go and get help. You can’t change a person.
It’s important to heal. Seek a support system with counseling.
Please don’t blame yourself or be embarrassed. It’s not your fault.
📌 How does a person cope with and overcome an abusive situation in positive ways? Here’s what MaCara had to say about how she coped and what helped her overcome domestic violence:
“Actually as a survivor, you’re always trying to cope. Dating is the hardest. However, I found out that opening up about my situation allowed me release the pain I’ve held in and not allowing the person who committed this act of violence to have this hold on my life. Sharing my story also allowed other women who have been in the same situation to come to me and tell me how much they appreciate me opening up because they’ve been scared to open up. I know how hard it was for me to share because you feel like it was your fault, or you allowed for it to happened, and just fear being judged. But once I opened up and attended counseling and support groups, I was able to overcome some of the pain. And just time itself helps you to cope.”
If you or someone you know is currently in or has experienced an abusive situation, please seek help or encourage and support him/her with seeking help.
In the words of MaCara: “You are beautiful and deserve so much more. You are loved and cherished.”
