West Montgomery Co. empowers victims of domestic violence: “We want to help”

About 90 women walked the white carpet outside the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday, celebrating their new voice against domestic violence.

female models of hats on a white carpet — About 90 elegantly dressed women walked a white carpet Saturday outside a police department in Montgomery County, Maryland, celebrating their new voice against domestic violence. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

West Montgomery Co. empowers victims of domestic violence: “We want to help” — Each woman wore a stylish hat called the “Power Hat”, symbolizing their personal journey and new possibilities. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

woman model hat on white carpet — Women have come forward to take part in a program of workshops called Voces Importantes – Voices That Matter – to tell women that their stories matter and they don’t have to suffer alone. (WTOP/Dick Uliano)

Cheered on by friends and family, about 90 elegantly dressed women walked the white carpet Saturday in Montgomery County, Maryland, celebrating their new voice against domestic violence.

Each wore a stylish hat called the “Power Hat” to represent their personal journey and new opportunities during Saturday’s event at the county police headquarters.

“It really started because six brave women reached out to us at different times throughout the year,” said Mariela Leon, a representative of the Latino community of Montgomery County.

All the women were “victims of domestic violence, sexual abuse or rape,” Leon said, and reported the crime because they felt “scared, alone.”

Leon, who herself was sexually abused as a child, acknowledged that her own ability to speak up played a central role in her healing. She felt the need to give a voice to other female survivors.

First six, then 40, then 90 women came forward to take part in a program of workshops called “Voces Importantes” — “Voices That Matter” — to tell women that their stories matter and they don’t have to suffer alone.

The women took part in a month-long workshop program at the police training academy aimed at empowering victims of domestic violence.

“We met every week in October … did different workshops, just teaching different things, from all the resources that the county has in the police department for victims of sexual assault, rape or domestic violence, but also talking about the financial aspect,” Leon said. .

The workshops aimed to teach survivors that “they have power, they have skills” and show them how to “start earning their own income … because a lot of the reason they stay in these relationships is because they are not financially independent.” Leon added.

Therapists and counselors from the Department of Health and Human Services were present weekly throughout the program to provide support.

Police explained that this particular operation targeted victims who were unwilling to contact law enforcement, particularly in the Hispanic communities of Gaithersburg and the southern part of the county.

“I’ve seen things like this before, and I’ve seen people reticent to come to us because of their past law enforcement experience,” said Capt. Jordan Satinsky, director of public engagement for the Montgomery County Police Department. Divide. “It was one of those workshops that really brought these people together.”

Satinsky is a former homicide detective. He created and led the department’s sexual assault unit and revamped the police department’s domestic violence unit.

“When I first started in 1999, domestic violence was one of the calls that we got the most, and a lot of the things that we did in law enforcement and even in our court system … it was seen as more of a family issue,” said Satinsky.

However, according to Satinsky, over time “this mantra began to change.”

“We’re here to help and we’re really open. We want to help. We are not here to judge. We are here to help you and get you resources,” he said. “If you call the police and want our help, we will help. If we can’t help you for any reason, we’ll put you in touch with the right resources.”

During Saturday’s event, a jazz duo of tenor and alto saxophones played cool tunes, as well as singing and dancing.

“This program ends not only in October. We will continue the meetings to find out what they need, said Leon. “We are going to reach out to other partners to provide them with these resources as well.”

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your inbox by signing up here.