On Oct. 6, the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence will host the Amethyst Ball to raise awareness and funds for the 32 women’s shelters in the state. We knew we wanted to cover the event in our October issue of Little Rock Soiree, but we also wanted to offer our readers a snapshot of the realities of this issue and inspire them to get involved.
That’s why we chose to feature Bobbi McDaniel, who has spent years volunteering with women’s shelters in Jonesboro and Little Rock, from sitting next to the hospital bed of a victim to helping women seeking protective orders nagivate the court system. “For me, the biggest thing is that these are women who have lost their voice,” she says. “I do this because I want them to find their voice again and be able to stand up for themselves.”
The one thing Bobbi wishes everyone understood about domestic violence? “This is not a socioeconomic issue. There are women next door to you no matter where you live who are enduring nightmare situations.”
Click here to read the full story and learn how to get involved — either with local women’s shelters or by attending the Amethyst Ball on Oct. 6.