BY RITA McINERNEY

Staff Writer

ATLANTA--Support groups for families experiencing domestic violence have been formed after the need surfaced through women coming to the Mercy Mobile Health Care Clinic.

Sister Pat Thompson, RSM, who has been with Mercy Mobile since 1992 after completing chaplains training, said the assignment has proved to be a “real learning experience.” A teacher at Our Lady of Assumption School in Atlanta from 1973-79, she works in the support group with children at risk.

Clinical psychologist Julio Perrillo, director and team leader of support groups for Mercy Mobile, traces the development of the groups to 1990 when Sister Barbara Harrington, GNSH, division director for the north metro area of Mercy Mobile Health Care, noticed many Latino women coming to the clinic with bruises. When asked, the women told her of being battered by their domestic partners.

Sister Harrington, who is bilingual, said she had been alerted to this situation by priests and sisters who brought the women from their parishes and missions to the clinic.

When concern for them rose to a “critical mass,” plans for a support group were made, said Sister Harrington.

A support group was formed for women with baby-sitting provided. A men’s group was started next when the women began asking, “How come you’re not working with the batterers?” Most of the men are sent by the court system. Sessions last for 24 weeks.

“Most families stay together...We’re trying to help women have a safe environment. These are not terribly bad men,” Perrillo said.

In the support group sessions, men learn new behaviors and space is provided for the men and women to decide what they are going to do with their lives.

Groups were formed for children after leaders realized the urgency of their needs. “Everything happens the same night,” Sister Thompson said.

The children’s program is based on the development of resiliency in children at risk. The support group curriculum includes tutoring in math and English and focuses on “self-esteem and how to respond to issues,” Sister Thompson said.

The children in her group, who are eight to 11 years old, “have been a real blessing in my life. They’ve opened up a world to me,” the chaplain said.

Many have been forced to take on adult roles in the family, she said. “The group gives them a chance to be children.”

Until late last year, Sister Thompson served as co-leader with social worker Christina Seidel, who became a first time mother early this year and is no longer associated with Mercy Mobile.

“Christina really brought it to life,” Sister Thompson said.

When the children first started, she recalls, most didn’t know anything about birthday parties with cakes and candles. Now birthdays are celebrated every six months.

They didn’t know about hugs either, Sister Thompson said.

“Now they won’t leave without getting a hug. They are so full of life and so full of promise. They want to enjoy their life and live peaceably.”

Those seeking assistance may call the hot line number for Mercy Mobile, with messages in Spanish and English, at (404) 851-7764.