TYLA Project

Ladies Night Out: Healing the Wounds
By:  Sally Pretorius and Nick Guinn

Domestic violence is a serious problem in today’s society. It seems a lot of attention is given to domestic violence aggressors rather than the victims, the actual cycle of domestic violence, and the effects on women and children. TYLA has taken an active role in trying to educate women on their rights while recognizing some of the efforts that women take to leave the cycle of domestic violence. It is with these goals in mind that TYLA offers Ladies Night Out.

Under the leadership of past President Sylvia Cardona, TYLA created an amazing video program called Healing the Wounds, available in English and Spanish, which includes details on what victims of domestic violence can expect when using the courts to obtain a protective order, a temporary restraining order, or a divorce. The objective of Healing the Wounds is to educate victims of family violence about their legal rights.

TYLA continues to present Healing the Wounds across Texas in an event called Ladies Night Out. During Ladies Night Out, members of TYLA partner with local women’s shelters to offer a little pampering to women while educating them on their rights.

TYLA has plans for Ladies Night Out events in Dallas and San Antonio during November 2015. The women will watch Healing the Wounds, and in Dallas, TYLA will partner with FORM Hair Salon, some members of Junior League of Dallas, and, hopefully, a make-up consultant to provide pampering to the female residents of the Wesley Inn at Promise House. In San Antonio, a group of young lawyers will present the video to residents of Family Violence Prevention Services before breaking out to small groups for question and answer sessions (offered in Spanish and English), prizes, and some tasty treats. 

Can you think of any groups that might benefit from Healing the Wounds or Ladies Night Out? Think you might like to host an event or organize a group? If so, TYLA would like to hear from you so that we can share the resources we have developed and educate the public about the legal process and domestic violence. Please contact your TYLA representative or the authors of this article for more information.

Sally Pretorius, secretary for TYLA, is an associate attorney at KoonsFuller P.C.

Nick Guinn, a TYLA director for District 18, Place 1, is an intellectual property attorney at Gunn, Lee, and Cave, P.C.