[glow=red,2,300]
Event to raise awareness of domestic violence[/glow]
[glow=red,2,300]
The Beginning Over Foundation is about hope.[/glow]
Though Heidi Markow created the domestic violence awareness foundation last year after her sister Robin Shaffer was murdered by her estranged husband, her goal is to raise awareness and offer support.
On Sunday the Williams Township resident is holding a community awareness day from noon to 4 p.m. in Centre Square. She said it will be a family-oriented event and she encourages anyone who has been affected by violence to attend.
"It's not going to be a sad day. We're not going to have a vigil," she said. "We're going to bring happiness and hope."
October is national domestic violence awareness month and Markow will make the rounds to area high schools and colleges to talk about an issue she feels is underreported.
Carol Lavery, the commonwealth's victim advocate, will speak Sunday to underscore the importance of raising awareness of domestic violence.
"No matter how much we think we hear and know about domestic violence, it just is not enough in the public eye to have created all the changes that are necessary," she said.
The foundation focuses on early intervention programs. Markow believes it is crucial to teach children and young adults positive conflict resolution.
"Studies show that there's a direct link between adolescent violence and adult violence," she said.
Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Jackie Taschner agrees.
"I am now seeing children of parents that I've prosecuted now coming into the system," Taschner said. "It's all patterns of learned behavior. And if a child grows up in a household where domestic violence is the norm, I think statistically they will become abusers or victims themselves."
Markow's biggest dream is to start a fund to help abuse victims move forward with their lives.
She envisions being able to support organizations such as Turning Point of the Lehigh Valley so that when women leave shelters they have help paying for housing and other needs.
Siusanne Nichols, communications director for Turning Point, said many people would benefit from a program to help ease them back into the working world.
But she said people also need to understand domestic violence extends beyond physical violence and can involve one person exerting control over another.
In addition to school programs on dating violence and bullying, Markow has brought various national programs to the local area.
The Cut it Out program is designed to educate hair stylists to recognize signs of abuse.
Markow's husband, Iggy, who is on the foundation's board of directors, will assist with programs aimed at men. In Coaching Boys to Men, he will speak to boys about handling emotions and responding appropriately to various relationship situations.
He said it is important for males to understand that jealousy is a natural feeling but becomes dangerous when it crosses the line to violence.
"We speak about men being the perpetrators because 85 to 90 percent of abuse victims are women," Heidi Markow said. "Men who are against violence need to speak out against it. We need men to stand up and say it's not OK."
To donate to the Beginning Over Foundation or for more information on programs call Heidi Markow at 610-392-3837.
Reporter Bevin Milavsky can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at bmilavsky@express-times.com.
wfmz.com/cgi-bin/tt.cgi?action=viewstory&storyid=20945 
