BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Tay Knight, with the Family Sunshine Center, and a service dog named Louisa, were special guests of the Elmore County Commission Monday night. It was part of the Commission’s recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“My coworker is named Louisa. She is a three-year-old Labradoodle,” Knight said. “She was trained by Service Dogs of Alabama as a facility dog. She works with clients in all of our facilities, be it adults or children, who have been traumatized because of domestic violence, sexual assaut or human trafficking.”
Knight shared that Louisa had worked that day with a client who was previously scared of dogs.
“Today she was able to work with a lady who was frightened of animals when we first encountered her in our office. The lady was actually able to lead her down the hallway for her counseling session.”
Knight said that Louisa knows when people are not feeling right, are anxious, stressed or traumatized. Her job is to go to them and make them feel more comfortable about engaging in the services. She also works with our staff who suffer a lot of tiems from secondary traumatic stress of listening to the stories and working with clients who have been victimized.”
Knight thanked the Commission for all they do for the Family Sunshine Center through funding and recognition. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“In the course of a year, we will work with over 1,400 individuals who are domestic violence victims. That includes women and children. Currently in our Domestic Violence shelter where we have 24 beds, this morning we work working with 35 individuals, adults and children. We have 30 other individuals who are in our transitional housing apartments who are also domestic violence victims. They are working through their journey from being victimized to really being healed from what has happened to them.”
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Knight said the goal is to educate and promote a better understanding of domestic violence and its long-lasting impact on the citizens of Elmore County, their families, and the entire community.
“Every year thousands of Alabamians fall victim to domestic violence. It is a widespread, aggravated crime and it is tough for victims to flee,” Knight said. “One of the things that we are emphasizing this month is that domestic violence is not always physical. We are highlighting the many forms of emotional abuse that abusers use against their victims. It can also be financial abuse, sexual abuse, or in a lot of cases it is technological abuse. So our cell phones, smart phones, our cameras in our home. All of those things can be used to abuse someone.”
She said domestic violence is not limited to one race, gender, earning bracket or an area.
“It happens next door to us,” she said.
A staggering statistic – Knight said that 37.5 percent of Alabama women, and 29.5 percent of Alabama men will experience some type of domestic abuse in their lifetimes.
“We really have to work hard to change those numbers. That is what we are trying to do with adding therapists, counselors, making sure that housing options are available. And even adding tools like Louisa to our facilities. We are trying to create an environment where they can escape and find a new life for themselves,” Knight said.
Commission Chairman Troy Stubbs and other commissioners praised Knight and the Family Sunshine Center for the time and effort that go into her type of work, and that of her staff.
“I think your commitment to being here regularly and your commitment to the service of the people who are suffering, often silently in our area,” Stubbs said.
Commissioner Henry Hines added, “Tay, we appreciate your time and effort. People don’t realize that midnight, or 3 a.m., you are on call. Abuse doesn’t just happen early in the morning or the afternoon. It happens all the time. It is great to have someone in your capacity with your dedication that takes care of our county.”
Commissioner Bart Mercer said, “Tay, whenever you come here we can always count on two things. You are going tell us these horrible numbers and the number of citizens in Elmore County that are the victims of domestic violence and domestic abuse. That is something hard to hear. But you always tell us what you are doing about it. And that is very comforting. I know it is a tough job, and we appreciate that.”
Commissioner Mack Daugherty said that having been in law enforcement for many years he appreciates the organization’s efforts.
“I had the privilege of attending a class in Montgomery recently sponsored by the Family Sunshine Center on Human Trafficking. Having been in law enforcement a long, long time, even my eyes were opened as to what is happening in this day and time. Most importantly things that are going on with your organization and many others to combat those things and assist. Thank you for all you do.”
For more information about the Family Sunshine Center, visit their website at www.familysunshine.org
