Bay Ridge races against domestic violence

On the morning of October 23, Women Against Violence held its13th annual Race Against Violence along the Shore Road bike path inan attempt to bring the issue of domestic violence, which oftenlurks in the shadows, out into the open.

It becomes a family issue in that you keep it in the family,said Italian immigrant and Dyker Heights resident NicolettaPallotta, who founded WAV in 1988 in response to the veil ofsilence surrounding the issue.

The Bay Ridge-based organization offers counseling, crisisintervention and victim support groups for survivors of domesticviolence.

Although this year’s 5k run raised more than $5,000 for theorganization, Pallotta says the major reward is the exposure theday brings.

We don’t make money out of this project, she explained. Wetry to use it as a venue for people getting more involved.

This year, 130 runners and walkers participated in the event,which as WAV Executive Director Sophia Napolitano points out, isalso about bringing survivors together.

Obviously we are trying to raise awareness, Napolitano said.But a lot of those people who come out are people that have beentouched by violence in their lives.

We’re one of the few organizations in Bay Ridge that offersthese resources, she said. I think we’re a vital resource to thecommunity.