VOICES OF TRUTH "DID YOU KNOW" NEWSLETTER
Beginning March 2026, we will publish a newsletter quarterly
The 'Did You Know?' newsletter is your gateway to staying informed about crucial issues, including an upcoming support group and Awareness Month subjects. Through this newsletter, Voices of Truth aims to educate and engage its community. The Gardner Domestic Violence Task Force will also share updates, ensuring you're always in the know.
SPRING 2026
JANUARY WAS STALKING AWARENESS MONTH
STALKING OFFENDERS • 2 in 3 of stalkers pursue their victims at least once per week, many daily, using more than one method. • 78% of stalkers use more than one tactic. • Weapons are used to harm or threaten victims in 1 out of 5 cases. • Almost 1 in 3 of stalkers have stalked before. • Intimate partner stalkers are the most likely stalkers to approach, threaten, and harm their victims
(conference on crimes against women)
FEBRUARY WAS TEEN DATING AWARENESS MONTH
"DID YOU KNOW" Voices of Truth Volunteer has a Gardner High School Student who has developed and added a Teen Dating page to our survivor guide
MARCH "WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH"
In ancient Rome, men were regarded as the unchallenged head of their households and given absolute power over their wives and children. Roman law stated that husbands could sell, beat, or disown their wives if they offended their husbands, who also had the power to kill their wives for adultery. The rise of Christianity and the early Catholic Church would hold Biblical principles of marriage that proclaimed husbands as judges over their wives, giving them authority to discipline out of concern for their spiritual well-being. Interpretations of the Bible, rigid gender roles, and the structure of family life would follow the Puritans, who settled in North America and would be the justification for spiritual abuse and the subjugation of women that would persist for centuries
(conference on crimes against women)
APRIL AWARENESS MONTH
SEXUAL ABUSE
Would you be Interested?
Pathways for Change is exploring the possibility of hosting a training on supporting survivors of sexual violence specifically for local providers. If you work in human/community/social services and you'd be interested in such a training, please fill out this Google form:
PET ABUSE
Although Voices of Truth has canceled the event this year 2026. There will be changes to this event for 2027. Stay tuned for info at the end of the year.
"Do you Know" The Purple Paws Program
A program designed by members of the Gardner Domestic Violence Task Force to assist a pet during a domestic violence departure of their owners home. Funds are to foster pet(s) for a safe, caring place for up to 3 months. No cost to the owner. Currently open to Gardner, Ashburnham, Westminster, Hubbardston.
contact Voices of Truth 978-277-1012
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION
The pervasiveness and severity of domestic violence impacting the workplace demands the attention of employers, managers, human resources and security staff, experts agreed.
Did You Know
65% percent of employers don't have a plan for domestic violence.
may AWARENESS MONTH
MENTAL HEALTH
WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED?
In attending a conference on the intersection of Mental Health, Substance Use, and Domestic Violence
VOICES OF TRUTH "DID YOU KNOW"
Voices of Truth has been in existence since 2005. When we started we were considered a faith base support group only. Until 2007 when all services were closed to the City of Gardner, we changed our direction to becoming a service for all. Our faith base is now a program "Blanket of Hope" support group. We became a 501c3 non-profit in 2017. In 2018 we developed the Gardner Domestic Violence Task Force, and the Purple Paws Program. Currently we are doing two support groups. DV Educational with a 19 forms of abuse in the Power and Control Wheel. Our newly support group will begin on March 9th "From Surviving to Thriving" . We recommend anyone who is interested to have done an educational program on DV prior to entering the group. It can be from any provider. Any interest please email contact@voicesoftruthcenter.org