Sacramento, CA - Tracie Stafford, the reigning Mrs. California United States, was raised to keep private business private.  It is only now as Mrs. California that she is publicly sharing her story of domestic violence in hope that others will be motivated to action. She recently testified, along with Actress Robin Givens, at the California State Capital on Tuesday, October 2 in support of Californians Uniting to End Domestic Violence Statewide Day of Awareness.

Orphaned at twelve, poverty stricken and one of few minorities in her community, it's no surprise that Stafford was filled with insecurity and a strong dislike of herself. At the age of 19 she married into an abusive relationship that lasted over five years. "Unfortunately, my mother and grandmother were both abused, so when I was struck for the first time it didn't shock me as it would have someone who had not been exposed to such violence".  

What got Stafford out of that relationship you might ask? Love for her, then 3-year-old daughter, Chanel.  "During one of the more extreme beatings" Stafford began,  "Chanel was in the room watching. I was pinned to the floor with my arm twisted so far behind my back that I could see my hand. Chanel calmly walked over to her father and said, 'Daddy go now.' which stopped him in his tracks.  She escorted him to the door and then came to see if I was all right.  Looking into her concerned but not frightened eyes, I new she was already desensitized and that I did not want that life for her. We left the next day."

 

Unfortunately the story didn't end there, there were several other attacks that occurred once Stafford tried to move on.  "The police were very little help at the time." Said Stafford "I did everything by the book. I had restraining orders, was almost never alone when I left the house...but he always found a way to get to me." Stafford recalls one incident when a police officer was taking pictures of her most recent injuries.  Through tears and frustration she screamed, "What can I do!" The response, "You should really move and find another job."

Needless to say a single mother who was still supporting siblings could not just pick up and move any time she wanted.  However, Stafford did get a lucky break.  Her abuser was eventually incarcerated for several years on an unrelated charge.

Unfortunately Stafford's story is not unique.  Approximately 1.5 million women are assaulted in California each year by intimate partners.  (Tjaden and Thoennes 2000a) Another 916,000 children are exposed to this violence, which is known to create even more victims and perpetrators.  (Department of Health Services, California Women's Health Survey, 1998-99)

"Domestic Violence is a wide spread epidemic that reaches beyond ethnicity and social status." Began Stafford, "The only way to break the chain is to educate not only the victims, but the perpetrators and the community at large. We need to teach our young women to stand in their power and our young men to gain their power from within."

For more information on Californians Uniting to End Domestic Violence Statewide Day of Awareness, Contact the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   Phone: 916-444-7163

For more information or to book an appearance with Tracie Stafford, Mrs. California United States, please contact Chelsea White at Exceptional Events, Inc.
916-443-3800.

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