SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A local organization that works with traumatized women updated the community Thursday on efforts to protect young mothers and children.
ROCA provided the latest data on trends seen regarding domestic violence and human trafficking in Western Massachusetts. ROCA leaders were joined by State Sen. Adam Gomez and the Hampden District Attorney’s Office to discuss the findings.
Last year, ROCA saw a spike in sex trafficking and intimate partner violence with guns. They also found that young women, most of whom are mothers, are at higher risk of gun violence. ROCA targets these women with a program that combines safety and stabilization to help them overcome their trauma.
“What we teach our children is to slow down, pause, think deeply about their thoughts and feelings and how they affect their actions, and respond to the situation. and use their skills to make different choices,” said Sunindiya Bhalla of ROCA.Vice President of Women and Second Generation
ROCA has been working with at-risk women in the Springfield area for the past six years. Many success stories include women who improve their mental health, keep their jobs, and start building healthy relationships.
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