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Show " , l . f J . V; ' i - - v ' -V : ' ! " ' '. i.r -: T "" I ' ; OLGA NAVAL) (right) directs local Women's Coalition for Battered Women members on training for directing a safe house. Mrs. Clara Coalition unites against spouse abuse Although not greatly publicized, spouse abuse in the Uintah Basin is as prevalent as in other areas of the state, and it effects all levels of social and economic classes, said Clara Allen, VISA volunteer at a meeting of the Coalition of Battered Women. Mrs. Allen, who is spearheading the organization to prevent spouse abuse, is seeking volunteers to man a safe house for abused spouses. The safe house temporarily houses victims of spouse abuse, until "things cool off". "A lot of time all they need is a day out," Mrs. Allen said. Because the location of the safe house is kept secret, it offers an ideal situation situa-tion for abused spouses to take refuge. "Then they know that they have an alternative," Mrs. Allen said. "They Allen, director of the local coalition sits between two safe house workers. find out they don't have to be treated that way." Olga Navau, state volunteer for the Coalition for Battered Women, told those present that the coalition has three purposes: to render service, to educate about prevalence of spouse abuse and to support safe houses. Mrs. Navau was part of a two-year study by the state to study spouse abuse. She discovered that spouse abuse is quite prevalent and many people peo-ple don't want to talk about it. From her research, Mrs. Navau developed the Coalition for Battered Women. The local coalition is asking for volunteers to be at the safe house two nights a week and one weekend a month. mon-th. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 11. |