The Challenge is On: Will You Take The Plunge?

Domestic violence awareness month will end with a splash in Bonney Lake as community members, local officials and domestic violence advocates plunge into the frosty waters of Lake Tapps.

The Oct. 29 event at is a fundraiser for , which provides housing, counseling and other assistance that helps local victims of this crime get back on their feet and become self sufficient.

“In the last Pierce County homeless count, domestic violence was second behind loss of job for the reason that families are homeless,” said , Exodus executive director, noting the weakened economy creates a double whammy for families that flee domestic violence.

“Some families with jobs are lucky enough to get an apartment,” said O’Neil of those that break away from abusers. “We work with the lowest-income families. They usually have the highest hill to climb. Many have no GED and no work experience or support system because their abuser helped them become isolated from friends and family, which is a normal pattern.”

O’Neil challenged local officials and community members to take the plunge earlier this month.

Sumner Police Chief John Galle, who said he’s honored to accept the challenge, said domestic violence is a major issue for every police department in every city.

“Honestly, in these economic times we see somewhat of an increase – and many of the resources for victims to turn to are drying up,” said Galle.

Interim Police Chief Dana Powers also accepted the challenge. Powers said domestic violence arrests in Bonney Lake are on the rise, up 9.4 percent as of August over last year.

The issue grabbed headlines here Oct. 9, when , 42, in a burned barrel at her Bonney Lake home. Pierce County prosecutors filed against her live-in boyfriend, Mthulisi Ndlovu, Oct. 11, accusing him of killing Mushapaidzi during an argument over dirty dishes. Ndlovu, 38, pled not guilty and is being held at the Pierce County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.

“The sad part is, in Bonney Lake ,neighbors heard the violence and never thought to call 911,” O’Neil said. “As an innocent bystander it’s your obligation and responsibility. Calling 911 a safe way to be involved.”

Raising awareness of the impact domestic violence has – it’s a top cause of police officer injury, for example – and citizens’ ability to influence the issue is another reason for the plunge, O’Neil said.

“Families that are living with an abuser, they never know when the shock and awe is going to happen,” he said. “When you stand on the dock at Lake Tapps you know you will plunge in and be shocked. When you’re living with domestic violence you never know when it will happen again.”

Galle said domestic violence victims often see one of two choices: Stay in the abusive relationship or become homeless.

That’s where Exodus becomes key, he said.

“It really does help out victims,” agreed Powers. “Getting them to a safe place, especially if they have no means or money, and helping them get started is key.”

Families often come to Exodus with no more than a garbage bag or cardboard box full of possessions. That means family members need everything from housecleaning and personal care items to dishes to clothing to beds, said Sharon LaVigne, Exodus administrative manager and plunge event coordinator.

It is much harder for a mother to focus on seeking a job, for example, when her children are deterred from enrolling in school because they cannot get clean and don’t have adequate clothing, said O’Neil.

About 60 percent of the Exodus Housing budget is derived from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and administered to the organization via contracts with Pierce County. This money pays for the housing itself and some case management services. The other 40 percent of the organization’s budget comes from fund-raising.

Such funds are used to help the 41 families Exodus serves overcome barriers to being self sufficient, such as providing haircuts or clothing prior to job interviews or school books that are not covered by recipients of federal Pell grants that pay schooling.  

“We have an 80 percent success rate of transitioning families from being homeless to being able to increase self sufficiency enough that they don’t need rental assistance or help,” said O’Neil. “A big part of that success rate is due to fund-raising and events like take the plunge.”

If You Go:

Registration for Take the Plunge Against Domestic Violence is at 10 a.m. Oct. 29 at Allen Yorke Park. The event starts at 11 a.m. To pre-register and for more information, see www.exodushousing.org.