I have really fallen in love with The Hen Night Epiphany over the past few months. I have read through the script at least five times since the education team began working on our lesson plans, and I find that I am touched emotionally every single time. Award-winning author Jimmy Murphy is incredibly insightful and gifted, and he succeeds in creating a hauntingly realistic portrayal of domestic violence. As the production and education team explored the script we realized that Murphy’s story mirrors reality, and that this production is one that cannot be produced for entertainment purposes alone.
As a company with a mission that supports all people in need, we found our call to action was to take an active role to speak out against domestic violence. There are some great resources for those suffering from domestic violence in Washington State, and I am excited to announce that Arouet will be partnering with Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN). This fantastic organization works diligently to speak out and prevent domestic violence, as well as support those who are, or have been, affected by domestic violence.
To help DAWN with their incredible efforts, Arouet will be collecting donations at every performance. I encourage all of you to take a stand with Arouet and speak out against domestic violence. Below I have included statistics regarding DAWN and domestic abuse in Washington State.
DAWN’s mission is to lead and support efforts in south King County communities to end domestic violence. Over the past 33 years, DAWN has provided programs and services to an estimated 370,000+ survivors of domestic violence and their children.
For more information, please visit www.DawnOnline.org
DAWN is a 501(c)(3) organization
Daniel Cords,
Arouet Director of Education and Outreach
About DAWN
- DAWN has been committed to providingculturally fluent services to survivors of domestic violence since 1980. DAWN remains the ONLY non-profit agency located in south King County that operates a 24-hour advocacy and crisis line and provides confidential emergency domestic violence shelter and services. 82% of every contributed dollar goes toward providing direct services to women and their children escaping domestic abuse.
- In 2012, DAWN served a total of 13,068 clients including: 8,283 bed nights to 209 women and their children at DAWN’s emergency confidential shelter; 120 bed nights to 60 women, men and their families through hotel and motel vouchers; 3,245 bednights to 19 families in our Extended Stay transitional housing program;
- 11,564 crisis calls from women, men and teens; and 1,216 individuals in our Community Advocacy Program, which includes support groups (in English and Spanish), mental health counseling, legal advocacy, children and you programs, and direct rent and utility assistance.
- Also in 2012, DAWN’s DV institute trained more than 100 new ambassadors in the
movement to end violence. - Over the past 33 years, DAWN has provided services to approximately 376,000+ survivors and their children.
About Domestic Abuse
- 1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic violence at some point in their lifetime.
- On just one day in 2011, domestic violence programs in WA could not meet 502 requests for services due to a lack of resources – 79% of these requests were for emergency shelter and transitional housing.
- Battering is the single major cause of injury to women – exceeding rapes, muggings, and auto accidents combined.
- Ex-boyfriends perpetrate 11 percent of domestic violence homicides.