Would working in your community to eliminate abuse help you remain free from abuse? Do you think small contributions you make can help others? It can help you -- and it can help build a better future for others, one in which children will not be harmed. Educating people about abuse and alternative to abusive behaviour, and strengthening legal consequences for abuse, can create a community environment that allows less abusive behaviour in families and relationships. Educating others to the extensive damage abuse causes victims of all ages and the extensive time adults and children need to heal and rebuild their lives after abuse is important; educating people about the tremendous financial and health costs abuse creates in society is important.

We punish those who violate others in society -- those who kill and assault strangers, peers, and classmates. Domestic abusers are terrorists in their own families; they are often snipers who lurk, hide, and harm when their victims are often least suspecting, terrorising those they live with. Yet, they often go unpunished and do not face significant consequences for their abusive behaviour. Punishing them, and educating them and others about abuse, may help to eliminate this violation.

Everyday, abuse destroys lives, As you read about an assault or a death from abuse in the newspapers, realise that it could have been someone you have had a connection with -- someone who works in the store you shop in, who teaches your children. They may be vulnerable, afraid, and unable to help themselves.

If you have healed and rebuilt your life, you can help them; by helping them, you can help yourself.

While building community collaboration, you may be frustrated by the injustice you see. You may break into tears at someone's pain, you may want to turn your head and heart away or pretend that abuse has little to do with you. But you know it does; tolerating domestic abused affects us all. It is not easy to look at the reality of damage done by domestic violence, but you can; and you can make a difference.

Community collaboration starts with friendship -- people working and volunteering together to address victim's needs and concerns. Collaboration can begin with only two people; it can grow by small groups and spread across the entire island of Bermuda.

Community collaboration has many levels, from grass-roots efforts to professional groups working to change domestic violence laws and legal practices. It requires time, money, persistence, and energy. There is a place for you in these efforts. If you want to become involved, there are victims you can support and children you can care for. There are letters to be written, funds to be raised, and laws to be challenged. You can volunteer by doing the smallest chore: working with victims or perpetrators, volunteering in local organisations (such as The Physical Abuse Centre or The Women's Resource Centre), watching local court processes, educating others in school and churches or people you work or socialise with -- nothing is insignificant.

Working to prevent abuse will help keep you from being abused. You will continue to learn and grow each time you help someone else, each time you risk telling your own story or listen to someone's else's. Just having someone with them in court helps many victims face their abusers. Just knowing there is a voice on the other end of the phone helps some victims face each day. Even the smallest act will help, and you can become stronger in your freedom. Just knowing you have taken a stand to end the horror and atrocities that victims have to face can fill you with hope. At the same time, your helping others become free from abuse can help you remain free. What will you do? Start today. For more information regarding abuse, call 292-4366.

The Physical Abuse Centre is a part of The Family Resource Network, which consists of The Coalition for The Protection of Children, The Institute of Child & Family Health, P.A.R.E.N.T.S. and The Father's Resource Centre. The agencies joined in 1998 to better serve Bermuda's families with a common goal and shared vision.

The Physical Abuse Centre would like to take this opportunity to extend to you a very blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year!!! NINA JONES PAC Counsellor