To The Editor:
Many times I have heard my Dad say, “Son, if you really want to get something done, you need to do it yourself.” While this may be true in some situations, there are those times when only a concerted effort of teamwork and the shared vision of many will culminate in attaining the hoped-for goals. Such is the case for the work of Pee Dee Coalition (PDC). There have been several instances when mentioning Pee Dee Coalition to someone I was in conversation with, that person’s response was, “What is Pee Dee Coalition?” While this organization might not be known to some people, the very issues it addresses are at the forefront of the public spectrum today. Consider the Ray Rice incident, Adrian Peterson, news reports, statistical data, sexual assault on college campuses, and legislation currently being proposed in the upcoming session of the S.C. General Assembly. Pee Dee Coalition ( www.peedeecoalition.org) is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to the reduction of sexual assault, family violence, and child abuse and to the needs of victims. It is the belief of PDC that the reduction of family violence, sexual assault, and child abuse is a community issue and concerns the total community – not only women – not only service providers – but all who value the basic human desire to be free from physical threat and harm. PDC serves Dillon, Marion, Marlboro, Chesterfield, Florence, Darlington, & Williamsburg Counties. South Carolina currently bears the stigma of ranking second in the nation for the number of women killed by men – usually men the victims themselves are acquainted, or in relationship, with. We previously ranked first for two consecutive years.
My wife and I are not frequent movie-goers by any means, but we recently made a point to attend a viewing of the movie “Selma.” We both were emotionally moved by what the movie depicted and especially by the outpouring of people from all strata of society who had come to Selma in the pursuit of justice. With a growing sense of frustration and disappointment, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made an impassioned plea to religious leaders and citizens all across America to come join them in Selma in their struggle for justice. In response to his plea and the national televised reports of violence being unleashed against the marchers, the people came. In light of this, the question we must ask ourselves is: Are we, as citizens of our local communities, willing to take a stand against what we do not always bear witness to but know that such violence does exist? If so,
Come join us in our efforts to combat these egregious offenses that are literally destroying homes and families in our state, but yet often go unnoticed and unreported.
Come join us with the needed financial support and voluntary service to provide critical services to both victim and offender that could restore hope and dignity for a productive way of life.
Come join us by offering public venues for speakers to bring further awareness of these issues of violence and ways in which the public and civic groups can help.
Come join us in a concerted effort to envision and strive for a community that glorifies God by bringing healing, help, and hope as we recognize all people as created in God’s image and who have value in God’s eyes.
Paul E. Gasque
Board Member, Dillon County Chapter of Pee Dee Coalition
Board Member, Regional Board of Directors for Pee Dee Coalition
P.O. Box 548
Latta, S.C. 29565