It was yet another hot, scorching South Georgia “dog day,” July 1, 2006. Tessy Carter Davis packed her suitcase at her home in Jeff Davis County and put it in her car, along with her nine-year-old son. After suffering from years of abuse at the hands of her husband, Tessy had finally had enough.
She drove around trying to find a place to escape, a comfortable, safe environment for the two of them. After a long day of not finding a suitable place to go, Tessy and her son returned home. Two days later, on July 3, 2006, Tessy’s husband fatally shot her in front of their son while Tessy’s father tried to stop him.
This is the horrific true story about my friend and cousin and the sad reality of the effects of domestic violence. This is not an isolated incident. In the United States, a woman is abused every nine seconds. We all want to ask the question, “Why doesn’t she just leave?” Like Tessy, a woman is two times more likely to be killed when she tries to get help.
Batterers are from all socioeconomic classes, races, ethnic groups, and religions. Most batterers are male; however, in rare cases, a batterer is female. Violence is defined by use or threatened use of physical force or other coercive behaviors to intimidate and control another person; physical violence, property damage, sexual violence, and emotional abuse.
The Magnolia House, Waycross Area Shelter for Abused Persons, Inc., was opened in 1984. The Magnolia House is fully-staffed and ready to provide emergency shelter for six to eight weeks to women and children who are fleeing abusive and potentially dangerous situations. By calling the 24-hour crisis line, (912) 285-5850, women and their children can enter the shelter and benefit from a variety of services. The shelter serves a five-county area including Ware, Coffee, Pierce, Brantley, and Bacon.
The Mission of the Magnolia House is to afford opportunities and assistance for women and children of domestic violence to become self-sufficient through family stability, increase partnership affiliations, community revitalization and support.
The Magnolia House provides services to victims of domestic violence who do not know where to turn or have no place to go for assistance. The shelter provides many services and programs in addition to shelter for these women including TANF funds (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), MACIN Program (Mothers and Children in Need), case management and legal advocacy.
The Magnolia House needs the continued support from the communities it serves. In the last thirty years, the Magnolia House, with help from many collaborative partners, has served thousands of domestic violence victims and their children. The Magnolia House Board of Directors has made a commitment to protect the victims the shelter serves and to operate and govern the shelter with accountability, good stewardship, and transparency.
The Magnolia House Board of Directors would like to thank everyone who has supported the shelter and looks forward to working with the communities in which it serves as we strive to continue to protect victims of domestic violence. The shelter accepts charitable donations including monetary funds and certain items and products. If you, your business, or your organization would like to make a product or tax-deductable charitable contribution to the Magnolia House Shelter, please contact Board Member Amanda E. Hayes at (912) 383-4431.
– Submitted by Amanda E. Hayes