by Stacey Sheppard,
TAP Dir. of Human Services
Families who are in crisis all over the state and even families from out of state seek safety and solace at a hidden space in Roanoke called Sabrina’s Place. The center, named in memory of Sabrina Reed, opened in 2006. Sabrina Reed was murdered by her estranged husband in 2005 during the exchange of her daughter. Sabrina was a daughter, a sister, a nurse, an athlete and a friend to many.
The community became outraged by her murder. Because of the community infuriation over the violence and the fact that her stepfather was also killed as result of intervening, the community stepped into action. Recognizing the significant need for families to have a center for safe exchange and supervised visitation when it came to children and families, Roanoke City government and Total Action for Progress (TAP) partnered to ensure families of such a place.
Since opening in 2006, Sabrina’s Place has served over 4,000 families in need. A lot of the families that come to Sabrina’s Place are court ordered. However some are self-referred or come from other human service agencies. At any given time the client at the center could be anyone, maybe even one of your family members, neighbors or fellow church members. Violence does not discriminate. Take a look at these statistics just to prove my point.
Did You Know?
In the United States, an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually; • 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner; • 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner; • 1 in 7 women and 1 in 18 men have been stalked. Stalking causes the target to fear that they or someone close to them will be harmed or killed; • On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines nationwide receive approximately 20,800 calls; • The presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%; • Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime; Intimate partner violence is most common among women between the ages of 18-24; and 19% of intimate partner violence involves a weapon.
Why does all this matter?
Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, and even death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime. At TAP provides a continuous fight to make our community better, our families safer and the lives of others a lot happier.
Hard times have come to Sabrina’s Place, just like many of the safe exchange centers across the nation. Federal budget cuts have caused many centers like these to close their doors. In 2016 Sabrina’s Place was no longer provided with federal funding due to these federal budget cuts. While TAP has reapplied for these federal funds, the future in uncertain.
TAP has been feverishly fighting to keep Sabrina’s Place open and has been committing to community fundraising. With the help of local jurisdictions and the help of those who care, the program has been able to remain open since losing federal funding in 2016.
In its continuous fight for our families and children, TAP will soon embark on a new adventure. On Thursday, June 28 its first ever community FUN-d-raiser for victims of domestic violence and intimate partner violence will be hosted with all proceeds going to help these families and survivors who need our services.
“Roanoke’s Voice,” a celebrity talent competition, will be presented at the Jefferson Center when 12 acts will compete for the title of Roanoke’s best Voice. Tickets can be purchased online at www.jeffersoncenter.org that will also include light food. A cash bar will also be provided. This will be a fun evening for the community to support TAP and Sabrina’s Place while also enjoying valley talent. Local celebrity judges as Melinda Payne from Salem and Lezla Gooden from WSLS Channel 10 will help select the best voice. With Neesey Payne as Master of Ceremonies.
For additional info, please call 540-283-4800.
