INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Two teams of women donned helmets, elbow and knee pads, and wrist guards, prepared to do battle on the rink, all to benefit SafeSpace, a domestic violence shelter. The Vandalettes of Vero Roller Derby League chose the organization to benefit from their last bout of the season.
“Everyone on the team supports women and women empowerment,” said Foxy Felon skater Vicious Rumor, also known as Chloe Hawkings.
“This is Vero’s team,” said Coach Cherry Charger, aka Nicole Haagenson. “We rely on the community, so we try to give back.”
Hawkings spearheaded the selection of SafeSpace, Indian River County’s domestic violence shelter.
It was a surprise to the SafeSpace board.
“We were absolutely amazed,” said Bob Schlitt Jr., president-elect of the SafeSpace Board of Directors.
“It’s an unusual situation,” he added, explaining that SafeSpace promotes non-violence toward women, while roller derby has a relatively violent reputation.
The board, like The Vandalettes, came to the same conclusion – both groups empower and help instill self-confidence and build self-esteem in women.
“These are women who are confident,” Schlitt said, watching the bout between the Foxy Felons and the Punk Rollers.
Coach Charger said she hoped to raise $1,000 with Sunday night’s bout for SafeSpace. The amount raised was not immediately known.
More than 100 people attended the bout, and many bought raffle tickets. All the money taken in from the All A “Bout” Giving bout was donated to SafeSpace.
“Giving back is kind of a derby tradition,” Charger said.
Schlitt took the opportunity during a 15-minute intermission to address the spectators.
“SafeSpace saves lives,” he said, adding that the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office handles between 30 and 50 domestic violence calls monthly.
To have The Vandalette’s of Vero’s support – “This is a great surprise,” Schlitt said.
“We have ongoing needs,” he said from the side of rink as the derby continued.
At any given time, the shelter in Indian River County houses 20 women and children, many who arrived with nothing more than the clothes they were wearing at the time.
According to Schlitt, nationwide three women and one man die daily at the hands of their intimate partner. Many times they suffer long-term abuse before it becomes fatal, never leaving the abusive relationship due to a lack of self-esteem and belief that they can’t make it on their own.
“They can,” Schlitt said, of getting a job, raising their children, and taking care of themselves without their abusive partner.
SafeSpace has a $1 million annual budget, half of which comes from the government. The other half is made up of donations from the community.
“We’re squeezing every penny to get by,” Schlitt said, adding that financial donations are always appreciated.
Donated clothes, toys, books and toiletries are also needed, as well as volunteers to help at the shelter.
Anyone wishing to help or to learn more about SafeSpace can visit http://indian-river.fl.us/living/services/SafeSpace/ or call (772) 595-0042 or e-mail SafeSpace@indian-river.fl.us.