Dublin Organization Protects Victims of Domestic Violence

Georgia ranks 15th in the nation for men who kill women in single victim homicides – most are a result of domestic violence.

Wings, also known as Women in need of God’s shelter is a local non-profit group in Dublin. They are working to help victims of violence and sexual assault.

Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, according to Wings Executive Director Heather Mullis.

“Any age, any race, any socioeconomic group.”

It also doesn’t mean broken bones and bruises for everyone. Domestic violence can range from emotional to physical abuse.

“Putting you down, making you feel bad about yourself, saying you’re a bad mother, you’re stupid, you’re fat, you’re ugly.”

Zona Neumans is a former client of Wings, she knows this abuse all too well. When she needed to dial 9-1-1, she knew it was time to get out of denial.

Neumans says, “But as time went on and things escalated, I started accepting that there was a problem and then it became unbearable and extremely serious.”

She spent three months at the shelter where she found support, compassion and the strength to get back on her feet.

“Had it not been for the shelter, it could have been really bad and I just thank God.”

National statistics report on average a victim will leave their abuser 7 times before they can make a clean break. Wings just wants to prevent a potential tragedy from becoming a reality.

“Our hope is that while they were here that we said something, did something, showed them that there’s a different way, there’s a better way and they don’t have to put up with that,” said Mullis.

For more information about Wings call 1-800-WINGS-03.

All the services offered at Wings are confidential, safe, and free.