Director/Therapist of the Family Support Network (FSN), Chonda Jeffers. Photo: VINO

The fun day and raffle are two of the activities being held by FSN as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is being observed this month. FSN would also be staging a play by the Elmore Stoutt High School Drama Society at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium on October, 23, 2011.

The fun day on Saturday would at 10 a.m. and activities would include clown entertainment, bouncy castle and face painting. Music will be provided by DJ Push Pop and live entertainment by Final Faze Band.

The raffle would be drawn during the course of the day after persons would have been given ample opportunity to take a chance at the attractive prizes. One ticket costs $5 while 5 tickets would cost 20 dollars.

Other prizes to be won include two nights stay at the Myett’s Hotel, two roundtrips to Virgin Gorda via Speedy’s Fast Ferry, dinner for two at Myett’s Garden Grill and massage at Myett’s Spa.

According to Director/Therapist of the Family Support Network (FSN), Chonda Jeffers, the proceeds of the fun day and raffle will go towards a shelter fund. She also expressed gratitude to all the sponsors of the raffle prizes, which also includes Zrod 103.FM, HLSCC, Dolphin Discovery, ESHSS, Miss BVI 2011 Abigail Hyndman, Office of Gender Affairs, Ministry of Health and Social Development and Ladies of S.A.S.S.

The play, which would be held on Sunday October 23, 2011, is entitled “Paternal Love” where a male is portrayed as the victim of domestic violence. “We tend to focus a lot on female victims and forget that males are also abused,” Jeffers said.

Half of the proceeds for the play would go towards the Drama Society of the ESHSS.

Meanwhile, FSN has planned a ‘purple event’ for Friday October 28, 2011 and persons will be asked to attire themselves in colour. FSN would also be decorating various parts of Road Town with purple balloons and ribbons. “Purple is the symbol colour internationally to remind the world that many individuals have died as a result of domestic violence. Thus purple is a symbol for members of the community to stand together in unity against domestic violence”, FSN stated in a press release.

Family Support Network (FSN) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation whose primary aim is to support families affected by domestic violence.