Every nine seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten in the U.S., over 68,000 calls made to law enforcement annually are related to domestic violence. Most incidents of abuse are never reported, and one in three women who is a victim of homicide is murdered by a current or former partner.
“It is really important to remember the victims and honor the survivors and lend support to the cause. Ohio State Mansfield believes it’s important to educate the campus community about domestic violence and to provide support to those students who may be experiencing it, let them know they have a safe place to go,”said Donna Hight, Chief Student Life Officer at The Ohio State University at Mansfield (OSU-M).
Thursday evening a candlelight vigil was held at the Mansfield campus in the Ovalwood building at 6 p.m.
The event was sponsored by OSU-M in partnership with the Richland County Domestic Violence Shelter to remember victims, honor survivors and raise awareness to the ever growing, silent crime.
Kim Williams, a survivor, spoke about her experience growing up in a home riddled with violence. Williams mother, Shirley Carver and grandmother, Reba Dickison were both killed at the hands of her abusive step-father. As tears rolled down her face Williams told the story of her violent childhood and the tragic death of her mother and grandmother.
“It’s important to talk. The longer you are quiet the worse it becomes. The longer you hope it will change, the longer it goes on,”said Williams as she addressed the audience. Williams added that silence is what helps to proliferate the crime and urged those who may or may not be present and suffering or know someone who is to reach out, speak out.
Angel Ross also a survivor gave a moving speech of her experience in an abusive marriage. Ross believes that it was only when she decided to reach out and talk to her family and ask for help that her life changed and as she stated, “I believe I am here alive today because I spoke up, reached out for help.”
Executive Director of the Richland County Domestic Violence Shelter Katherine Ezawa shared her thoughts on the evening’s event saying, ”We are here to remember those people who have lost their lives and to honor those who have survived. We need to educate women that there is support, they are not alone.”
Reverend Aaron Williams Jr. from Maddox Memorial Church on Walker Lake Road began the vigil with a prayer of peace, hope and strength for the victims and their families. After the speakers, names of those who had lost their life to domestic violence were called as supporters came forward and placed a purple carnation in honor of their memory.
If you are in danger, call your local hotline and/or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE).
