SPORTS

DAVIDSON, N.C. — As the Davidson Wildcats continue their social justice campaign this season, while resuming their hunt for an A-10 title, the team is centering this week’s focus around domestic violence awareness.

Along with educating themselves and the community on domestic violence, the ‘Cats will be holding a raffle to donate the funds raised to Safe Alliance, an organization that works to provide hope and healing for domestic violence victims in the greater Charlotte area. Raffle tickets are available to purchase from Davidson women’s basketball team members, or through Director of Player Development, Brianna Finch ([email protected]). The raffle drawing will be completely at random and open to the public, and will be held on Monday, Feb. 8. Winners will have a selection of prizes to choose from, such as a framed poster of the 2020-21 team, a zoom with the team, or a Davidson women’s basketball gift basket.

In addition to the raffle auction, the team, coaches and support staff will be wearing purple ribbons for this weekend’s games, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness.

Facts about domestic violence:

• 10 million people per year are physically abused by an intimate partner.
• 20,000 calls are made per day to domestic violence hotlines.
• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
• Early reports estimated domestic violence incidents had increased by 25-30 percent since the start of the global pandemic.
• COVID-19 has heightened domestic abuse factors:
  • Economic strains
  • Isolation from assistance (family, friends, co-workers)
  • Uptick in firearm sales

What you should know:

• Domestic violence comes in many forms of abuse including: physical, psychological, economic, sexual, stalking and child abuse.
• Domestic Violence requires immense courage to escape and even more determination to move past.
• We as a team are using this moment to face the challenges in our community and advocate for those affected and often overlooked.

Resources to get help and information:

• Safe Alliance is an organization located in the Mecklenburg County region dedicated to supporting domestic violence victims
  • https://www.safealliance.org/programs/other-resources/

• Hope Line: 24/7 hotline offering assistance to victims (980) 771-HOPE (4673)
• Violence Shelter: provides housing and food
• Victim Assistance Court Program: legal assistance to secure vital court orders (such as restraining order)
• Counseling 
• Support Groups