Letters to the editor: 03/08/01

Clarifying role of Qualla Women's Justice Alliance

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Qualla Women's Justice Alliance, I would like to express our appreciation for your interest, both in our group and in our efforts to address the problems of domestic violence. As a community group, we are grateful for the chance to spread the word about domestic violence and to encourage others to become involved. It is only through raising awareness and bringing everyone together against domestic violence that we can hope to eradicate its existence in our communities.

After reading the article The Sylva Herald concerning our group, we realized that perhaps we did not clearly communicate several issues. We hope the following information will help to clarify specific statements that were made.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, not the Qualla Women's Justice Alliance, is going to assume control of one of the women's shelters already in existence under the Swain/Qualla SAFE Program. The Swain/Qualla SAFE Program will become two separate programs with the tribe then controlling its own shelter program.

As a group, our main goal is to be "systems advocates." This means we are working with law enforcement, the court system, Tribal Government, Indian Health Services and community groups to identify, address and change the areas where there are gaps in services or improvements are needed to help victims of domestic violence.

We are not trained to help or counsel individuals. However, through our information gathering efforts we are becoming knowledgeable as to how to direct victims to the appropriate people and/or places to get the help they need. Our members include people who may have certain skills, knowledge and expertise that enable us to better deal with the issues with which we become involved. Yet, we are all involved with this group because we have had violence touch our lives and families and hope to change the fact that it seems to be accepted in today's society.

We thank you again for your interest in our group.

Sincerely,

Chantelle Carroll

Qualla Women's

Justice Alliance

Letters to the editor: 03/08/01

Clarifying role of Qualla Women's Justice Alliance

To the Editor:

Back to Archive: 03/08/01.