Someone whom I have known my whole life was a victim of domestic violence by her boyfriend. There were days where she did not know if she would be alive the next day, or found dead somewhere. After one incident, she left their apartment and she came to stay with me. When we went to get her stuff, he had thrown all her clothes, jewelry, and pictures among other things in the garage, like garbage. I wanted to help her and go to the police, but she begged of me to not go and I regret every minute of it. I should have spoken up. Had I done that, it would have saved her two years of irreparable pain and harm. I was afraid myself that I may get her in trouble. After two years of abuse, she finally left him, but her heart and her spirit were broken. Nothing could take that back.
The Joyful Heart Foundation is one of the organizations committed to providing healing, education and empowerment to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse and to shedding light into the darkness that surrounds these issues. Joyful Heart was founded in 2004 by activist and actress Mariska Hargitay and she has earned the support of many celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox. Please visit Joyful Heart Foundation to learn more.
To find more information on the domestic violence laws in your state, please visit http://www.womenslaw.org For more information, or to get help, please call: THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE AT 1-800-799-7233, THE NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE AT 1-800-656-4673 AND THE NATIONAL TEEN DATING ABUSE HOTLINE AT 1-866-331-9474 and visit http://www.ncadv.org
Please join me and the girls at Giving Tree Jewelry in raising awareness for domestic violence because when love hurts, it is not real love! Thank you for your support!
FROM RACHEL: Have you ever met someone and instantly just known, you were going to be friends? This was the feeling I got the first time Vasiliki (Vee) walked into the office at Giving Tree. Vee is a gorgeous woman with a huge smile that lit up the dreary day. And she was EXCITED! About everything! The jewelry she was coming to "see in person", her new husband, their imminent move into their new home, EVERYTHING was a joyful experience that was worth celebrating! Vee's wonderful energy was totally infectious, and when she left that first day, we all talked about how much more 'fun' the day suddenly felt. Vee has this same effect on me every time she pops over to 'the tree' to visit, pick out a gift, or, most recently, to HELP me in launching one of my big dreams. Besides being beautiful and bright, Vee is a brilliant lawyer and huge heart. I could sing her praises forever!
So when she asked if we would consider setting up a CUSTOMERS CARING page for a cause that is something very important to her, I couldn't wait to get started. When Vee sent me the info, I wanted to stay up all night, just to get this page created.
At Giving Tree jewelry, we always try to find pieces that fit our category "jewelry with meaning". We like to think of women feeling beautiful, strong, and infinitely capable. When Vee brought her cause to us, it reiterated how much we want to help women feel SAFE, and as SPECIAL AND WORTHY as they are, and as FEARLESS AND COURAGEOUS as they can be.
I was personally so moved by Vasiliki's cause, and what I now know to be her dedication to helping women and men, in domestic violence situations, get free. When she sent over her list of pieces to be used, I cried. She had picked the PERFECT PIECES. It is such an honor to put up this page for Vasiliki and her cause, and such an honor to be her friend.
Along with making donations on every item sold from this page, Vasiliki is sending every order a customized purple wristband which reads "Stop Domestic Violence"
TO READ VASILIKI’S WHOLE STORY CLICK HERE