DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF News) – A Dallas business woman is raising awareness amid Domestic Violence Awareness month about the use of art therapy for survivors of abuse.
LaShelle Booker dealt with mental, physical and emotional abuse and managed to get herself and her child out of a dangerous situation years ago.
She said she found solace amid her ordeal by focusing on her interest in art and home decor. Booker honed in on that passion and turned it into a thriving career.
Now a successful entrepreneur, owner of Lashell’s Bedsheets and Comforters, she’s urging other survivors to turn their hobbies into therapy while on the road to recovery.
“Go and find something that you enjoy doing. Suffocate the pain with the things that you enjoy doing and set your goals,” she said.
It’s a sentiment Eva Miles, founder of Anna’s House, a domestic violence shelter in Dallas, agrees with.
Confidence building is one of the tools the shelter uses to get victims on the right track.
Miles said the first step for her team is to create a sense of safety and a retired, veteran law enforcement officer on staff helps her do just that.
“When they have the men to come in and say ‘we’re here to help you and I am law enforcement… but I work here and we’re going to get you to safety’…you feel secure. Rather than just being here and say ‘Okay, were going to do an assessment and place you there for 30 days and then have you figure out what you’re gong to do next. The victim could think ‘Well, I think I am going to go back,” she said.
Miles said the officer may take things a step further to prevent that from happening.
“Sometimes the officer will talk to the man or the husband and let them know this lady here is under our protection and if you step over her boundary…you will go to jail,” said she said.
These types of services can mean the difference between life and death but shelters often operate on a tight budget and are in need of donations. Miles said shelters like hers are always grateful for monetary and supply donations.
The shelter said it’s open to accepting an unused home as a gift to help house women and their children who are fleeing a dangerous situation.
Anna’s House is a shelter that Lashell Booker is a supporter of.
She said the shelter and others like it provide a lifeline for people who have seen some of the worst of humanity but deserve to be supported by the best. Booker urges anyone going through domestic abuse to stay strong, find the courage to leave, seek help and find solace in an everyday activity that can help bring peace of mind.
“My goal is to help ease the pain and be an inspiration to all domestic violence victims by them viewing the beauty and art in my store” said Booker.
Unfortunately, domestic violence is a growing problem in the United States and North Texas is not immune.
According to the City of Dallas, domestic violence aggravated assaults increased by more than 14% in Dallas last year.
In an effort to reduce the amount of cases, the city is forming a Domestic Violence Advisory Council to address the best ways to help victims and what police call a concerning trend.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and citizens are encouraged to wear purple to show solidarity with survivors.
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