DEARBORN – One local woman is walking around with plates and screws in her body after being physically abused by her husband. She has a dislocated hip, injured  knee, broken femur and finger. 

WYXZ Action News, Channel 7 anchor Carolyn Clifford, ACCESS Victim of Crime Program Supervisor, Mona Makki, ACCESS Domestic Violence Prevention Program Coordinator, Mona Farroukh, Chairwoman, ACCESS Coaliton Against Domestic Violence, Siham Awada Jaafar, Wayne County Family Divison Circuit Court Judge, Kathleen M. McCarthy and Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Richard Halloran stand among others at the ACCESS 6th annual gala against domestic violence. PHOTO: Nafeh AbuNab/Elite American Studios

Her children are homeless and unemployed. She’s in need of emergency financial assistance, case management and legal support. Seeking help, the victim contacted the Arab American Community Center for Economic and Social Services’ domestic violence division, and says every shelter she’s called is full. Being treated badly as a child was the reason she stayed in the relationship. 

Her case is an example of the challenges the ACCESS Arab American Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, and Safety Oasis for Victims of Crime Program face.  

In an effort to support victims and raise awareness on their plight more than 500 people attended the 6th annual ACCESS gala against domestic violence on Jan. 20 at Byblos Banquet Hall in Dearborn.

The sold-out gala, “Our Children, Our Future: Take a Stand!” focused on the effects domestic violence has on children, who just by witnessing it can fall victim too. Wayne State University student Hassan Barada was one of the guest speakers who proved children can still grow up to be successful despite witnessing domestic violence. He managed to graduate from high school with a 3.5 GPA. 

Barada’s mother is a former victim of domestic violence who sought services from ACCESS. “You try as hard as you can to conceal it, to keep people from seeing that you came from a dysfunctional family,” Barada said. With the help of friends, family and ACCESS, Barada’s mother was able to overcome domestic violence. 

Attendance at this year’s gala nearly doubled,  a clear indication that the community is making greater strides to get involved in the issue. 

Children who witness domestic violence suffer from emotional and behavioral problems; lack social skills and are at greater risk for failure at school and substance abuse. 

Domestic violence survivor and Wayne State University student Hassan Barada addressed the crowd about growing up watching his mother endure domestic violence. PHOTOS: Nafeh AbuNab/TAAN

According to Dr. Adnan Hammad, Senior Director, ACCESS Community Health and Research Center  studies have shown that children especially boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to be violent to their partners and other children. A significant number of men who abuse their wives also abuse their children.

WXYZ anchor Carolyn Clifford served as the mistress of ceremonies, and says victims should never be ashamed to share their stories, because by doing so they help others.  Clifford’s mother is a 20 year survivor of domestic violence. “My mom is really my hero, so I share her story…Just because your mom and dad might be involved in it doesn’t mean you have to carry that on to the next generation. If you talk to other people you can get help and you can survive it,” Clifford said.

Mona Farroukh, coordinator of the ACCESS Domestic Violence Prevention Program was once in the shoes of many of the clients she serves today.  Farroukh, a former victim of domestic violence also got help from ACCESS. 

 “The most devastating aspect is the loss of personal power, self esteem and once self confidence. This dangerous behavior can literally shred a person of self worth and value,” she said. 

The gala helps raise money for the domestic violence division at ACCESS. “From the bottom of my heart I thank you all for my life. And on behalf of others you have supported,” Farroukh said.

Mona Makki, supervisor of the ACCESS Victims of Crime Program which deals with child abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, rape, hate crimes, robbery, assault and other crimes said domestic violence victims are the highest population served by the program, with the majority in need of financial assistance.

In the last three months the program has provided services to over 93 victims of domestic violence and their families.  “I consider our survivors heroes,” Makki said. She says escaping abusive relationships takes an immense amount of courage and strength.

Judge Kathleen M. McCarthy, Wayne County Family Division Circuit Court Judge served as the event’s keynote speaker. Her mother was a victim of domestic violence. “I frequently went to school unsure whether my mother would be alive when I returned,” she said.  McCarthy also worried her father would take off, leaving the family with no financial support.

She and her siblings would run upstairs terrified from hearing their mother scream. After abusing her mother McCarthy’s father would call on her to comfort him because he was often drunk

when he physically attacked her mother and would hurt himself by falling down. Her father would blame her mother for the beatings she received. 

“He would have bloody hands and sometimes dislocate his shoulder,” she said. Fortunately McCarthy developed the determination to get an education and become financially independent in order to reduce or eliminate anyone’s ability to control her.  

She says her mother’s life has given her the strength to become a better judge. “I used that fear I had to give me courage and a voice…Remember the invisible victims,” she said. 

 For more information or to get involved contact Mona Farroukh at 313.318.5881.