Women’s Golf Tournament Raises Funds, Awareness for Domestic Violence

Seventy-four women golfers hit the links at Indian Hill Country Club for a great cause on July 30, showing their support for domestic violence programs in Connecticut. All funds raised will be applied directly to the Community Renewal Team and Interval House programs that prevent domestic violence and assist survivors.

Key domestic violence advocates were on hand to lend support to the cause. Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen, long a leader in developing laws to protect victims of family violence, pointed out that the leading cause of women’s emergency room admissions is battering by a partner.

The tournament’s two Honorary Co-Chairs, State Rep. Mae Flexer and State Victim’s Advocate Garvin G. Ambrose, spoke about the far-reaching effects of family violence, particularly on the children who witness it. As chair of the Speaker’s Task Force on Domestic Violence at the General Assembly, Flexer reminded the audience that one in every four women will experience domestic violence during their lives.

But the most compelling moments of the day came as Nancy Tyler, a West Hartford attorney, shared her personal horror story of being stalked, kidnapped and held at gunpoint for 12 hours by her ex-husband. The highly-publicized episode in 2009 is an example, Tyler said, of the ways that women deceive themselves into believing that things are just ‘going through a bad spell.’

“I should absolutely have seen this coming,” she said. “I should have reached out to get help from groups like Interval House or CRT. I’m a trial attorney, I should have known how to get help for myself. But I had no idea – and I think many women have no idea how to get the help that they need.”  Tyler received two standing ovations – one before and one after her remarks – as women showed their solidarity with her sentiments, and their admiration for her bravery.

"Events like this allow us to raise awareness along with critical funds that allow us and Interval House to keep doors open to women who come to us when they face a crisis,” said CRT’s President and CEO Lena Rodriguez. “’Tee Off’ is also a chance to have fun and allow for women to support other women in stamping out domestic violence across our communities.”

As everyone returned from the course they were treated to a great collection of raffle prizes, hair-styling, chair massages, fresh sushi and other delightfully pampered offerings before dinner was served.

Community Renewal Team’s domestic violence support programs help families leaving a shelter or violent relationship to establish safe and successful lives by providing transitional housing and support services through CRT’s intensive case management system. Assistance comes in many forms depending on the needs of the individual. Often times help offered includes: security deposit assistance, first month’s rent, subsidized food, clothing and transportation. Housing assistance continues to allow survivors to move in a safe, secure environment where they are able to function independently and at a higher capacity to meet their daily needs.

By offering scattered-site housing, the program empowers the individual to take control of their life back by allowing them to select the town or area within Hartford County in which they would like to live. Other CRT support services offered to participants in this program include job training, educational assistance, legal advocacy, safety planning, financial literacy training, support groups, crisis intervention, child care, translation and transportation services.

Interval House runs a 24-hour emergency hotline as well the state’s largest emergency shelter for women and children victims of domestic violence, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Please see the Tee Off With Women webpage for photos and more information: www.crtct.org/en/events/womens-golf-tournament