Victims of domestic violence often find themselves financially trapped by their abuser. Not able to see a viable life outside of the chaotic homes in which they live, they can find themselves doomed to such situations for years.
Californians suffering from domestic abuse now have a new form of support to help them with the physically demanding side of escaping the situation. Meathead Movers will now offer the free relocation of all of the domestic violence victim’s belongings, a spokeswoman told LA Weekly .
“Meathead Movers will work directly with the nonprofit to identify the abusive situations and provide moving services at no cost. Not only do these services help the victims of domestic abuse but they directly impact Meathead employees — consisting of predominantly young men who believe that real men don’t hit women, real men help those in need.”
Aaron Steed, president and CEO of Meathead, echoed these statements about domestic violence when he spoke with the publication.
“We know how hard it is to pack up someone’s life and move it to a new location — but it’s unimaginable to think about a woman and her children trying to pack up all their belongings and flee before the abuser returns home. When we realized we had the resources to help provide a fresh start for these victims, we knew Good Shepherd was the perfect organization to connect us with those who need our services most.”
Apart from their work with domestic violence charity Good Shepherd, Meathead Movers was created with the intention of helping young student athletes find work. The company now performs around 5,000 moves a year all over the West Coast.
Good Shepherd will be coordinating the program for Meathead. The group has had excellent rates of success in rehabilitating families that have been affected by domestic abuse. On their website, the group says that getting victims out of the home is pivotal — especially to combat long-term effects on children.
“Studies have also shown that 85-95% of men who batter learned this behavior in childhood by watching their mothers being battered or by being the victims themselves. But children can also UN-learn these behaviors – which is the SOLUTION to domestic violence. At Good Shepherd Shelter, the children’s experience of domestic violence is validated but they also learn coping skills and new behaviors that are healthy and violence free. Most importantly, they learn that, with these new skills, they can choose to end this destructive legacy.”
[Image via Flickr]
