Still Standing: In Your Community

More than 3,400 incidents of domestic violence occur annually in Buncombe County, according to research from the UNC Charlotte. Stand with Buncombe County, members of your community, and local businesses as we honor survivors and support those who have experienced violence with Project Still Standing. Still Standing is a community-based domestic and sexual violence reduction effort.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. To help raise awareness, survivors are courageously sharing their stories of hope to encourage others to come forward and begin their path to recovery. Read their full stories here.

You never know when or where someone in an abusive relationship might be looking for help; let them see a sign of hope in your establishment. Please consider hosting a Project Still Standing survivor’s silhouette in your place of business or community center. Each silhouette features a compelling story of a survivor living in our community and invites those currently struggling with violence to take the first step forward in seeking help. Silhouettes are posted throughout the county at coffee shops, bookstores, music venues, and more.

Buncombe County is fortunate to have the Family Justice Center; a beacon of hope and a one-stop facility where those in abusive relationships can talk with crisis consultants, lawyers, housing coordinators, and more. From July 2016-July 2017, more than 400 people used the life-changing resources at the Family Justice Center, and 2018 has seen a 39 percent uptick in people accessing services at the Family Justice Center.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of domestic or sexual violence, contact the Buncombe County Family Justice Center at 250-6900 to begin the path to strength, safety, and hope.

If you would like to host a silhouette and help raise awareness in your establishment, contact Erin Bee of Helpmate at (828) 778-4714. You’ll join the following community businesses and organizations:

• A-B Tech
• All Souls Cathedral
• Ashville Music Hall
• Beer City CrossFit
• Biltmore Fitness
• Black Mountain Bodyworks
• Catawba Brewing
• Family Justice Center
• Fun Depot
• High Five Coffee Shop
• Justice Resource Center
• Malaprops Book Store
• Mars Hill South Campus
• Orange Peel
• Penny Cup Coffee
• Phil Mechanic Studios
• Pink Dog Creative
• Pretrial Services
• Satellite Gallery
• Wedge Brewery
• UNC Asheville
• United Way
• Warren Wilson
• YMCA Downtown
• YMCA Ferguson
• Zahiya Dance Studio

Project Still Standing was developed by Buncombe County Government and the eNOugh committee.

Related stories:

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Help Break the Cycle

Be an Up-Stander: 23 Ways to Break the Cycle of Domestic Violence