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Foundation, chain store fight abuse

"Many abused women who face domestic violence lack financial support if they want to leave their husbands or boyfriends."

Su Shih-tsung, Garden of Hope Foundation executive director

Domestic violence against women and children is more than a family matter, and cooperation between government, social groups and members of the community and a strong support network can help victims walk out of the shadow of abuse and rebuild their lives, a women's rights group and a private enterprise said yesterday.

In the latest effort to fight an increase in domestic violence, the Garden of Hope Foundation and President Chain Store Corp have joined together in a charity drive to establish a shelter for abused women and children in Taitung.

"Many abused women who face domestic violence lack financial support if they want to leave their husbands or boyfriends," Garden of Hope Foundation executive director Su Shih-tsung (蘇希宗) said yesterday

"They also decline to seek help from families and friends out of fear that they may get hurt as well," Su said.

"The establishment of a shelter, therefore, will provide a safe place for abused women and their children to stay, receive counseling services and even take career training courses," he said.

Wang Wen-hsin (王文欣), director of President Chain Store's public affairs department, called on the public to show support for victims of domestic violence through the charity drive.

"The case of `Little Sister Chu,' which was discovered and reported to police by one of our chain store workers, made us realize the importance of close cooperation between the government, social groups and community members in fighting against domestic violence," Wang said.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, there were over 30,000 cases of domestic violence last year, with an average of more than 130 incidents reported every day.

Statistics from the foundation show that almost 90 percent of the victims of domestic violence are women, with an average age of between 31 and 40.

Peng Li-cheng (彭麗真), general director of the foundation's eastern branch, said that the Domestic Violence Prevention Act doesn't require the establishment of shelters in every county and city.

"After setting up shelters in Taipei and Miaoli, we hope that by establishing a third one in Taitung -- a city with limited financial and human resources -- more women and their children will have a second home where they can restart their lives," said Peng, who has been counseling abused women and children for over 10 years in the city.

The charity drive continues through June 30, and the public can donate money through donation boxes inside President Chain Stores nationwide.
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