To bring awareness of the crime of domestic violence in our area and throughout the United States, Laurel Mayor Johnny Magee joined thousands across the nation in declaring October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Laurel. He was joined in the City Hall rotunda Tuesday, October 3 by local victim advocates, members of the Laurel Police Department, City Hall, the District Attorney’s Office, Domestic Abuse Family Shelter, Family Health Center and the service organization of Delta Sigma Theta for the signing of the proclamation.
LPD Victim Advocate Officer Melicia “Teya” Cooper led the ceremony and read the proclamation out loud to the group prior to Magee’s signing.
“This year we have joined forces to strengthen our advocacy against Domestic Violence,” said Cooper. She invited Domestic Abuse Family Shelter Director Becky Stewart to address the group.
“Every single minute of every day someone across this nation becomes a victim of domestic violence,” stated Stewart. “One in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. The Domestic Abuse Family Shelter has served Jones County and the surrounding nine counties for 35 years. I encourage all of you to join forces with your neighbors and others to eradicate domestic violence. Men, I encourage you to take a stand. Boys and young men have to learn how to treat women and children and it starts in the home.”
Among those gathered for the proclamation was Cynthia Gully whose daughter, Ishaunna, was shot in the back by her boyfriend in 2002. She was 20 years old at the time with a two-year old son. The shooting left Ishaunna paralyzed and in a wheelchair.
“It does start in the home,” said Gully. “You need to teach your children how they need to be talked to and what they should and should not do. They’re not going to ask!” She added that if parents don’t talk to their children, social media will.
District Attorney Tony Buckley said, “Domestic Violence in Jones County is real. We have cases every month come in and it doesn’t matter whether the cause is drugs, alcohol, jealousy, or just plain meanness, there’s no excuse for a man hitting a woman, or a young person hitting an elderly person. It does start in the home, but there also needs to be accountability for those who actually commit the crimes.
Barbara Blackledge who works with DAFS and the Family Health Center commented saying, “This will always be a part of my life. This is where I started,” exclaimed Blackledge. She added, “It will always be my heart.”
Blackledge explained that she is a survivor of domestic violence and was able to get out of her situation with the help of DAFS. She has been working with them ever since; for over 30 years.
“I’m 72 now,” said Blackledge, “and as long as Ms Becky will put up with me, I’ll still be here.”
The proclamation states, “Domestic violence is widespread and affects over four million Americans each year. Every day, three women lose their lives in this country as a result of domestic violence and millions of Americans live daily in silent fear within their own homes. Children who grow up in violent homes are believed to be abused and neglected at a rate higher than the national average.”
“Domestic violence costs the nation billions of dollars annually in medical expenses, police and court costs, shelters, foster care, sick leave, absenteeism, and non-productivity. Our efforts must extend beyond the criminal justice system to include housing and economic advocacy for survivors, working with young people to stop violence before it starts, and reaching out to friends and loved ones who suffer from domestic violence, letting them know that they are not alone.”