This Winston-Salem Police Department car, decorated to bring awareness to domestic violence, will be dis
played at various public events around the city.
Photos by Todd Luck
John Eddings talks with Kathryn Mobley about his
history with domestic violence at last week's
Domestic Violence Awareness Month event.
Kathryn Mobley of
WSTV (The
Government
Channel) holds up a
candle during last
week's vigil for
domestic violence.
Stephanie Gimenez
with Eliza's Helping
Hands Inc. speaks at
last week's domestic
violence awareness
event.
Vigil shines light on domestic violence
BY TODD LUCK
THE CHRONICLE '
A vigil tried to shine a light on the violence that hap
pens behind closed doors on Wednesday, Oct. 5, to com
memorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Participants held up battery-operated candles during
the indoor vigil, held at the Forsyth Tech Business Center
at 525@vine, to remember victims of domestic violence.
The event featured information on what domestic violence
is like and what services are available to victims.
Among the speakers was Stephanie Gimenez, a sur
vivor of domestic violence who now works to help others
through a local non-profit called Eliza's Helping Hands
(EHH).
"I sometimes tell my survivors that this isn't love, this
is power and control and it does not just stop on its own,"
she said ?
Survivors don't heal on their own either, said
Gimenez, who chairs EHH's board. That's why the organ
ization provides emergency advocacy and support for vic
tims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and
child abuse.
John Eddings, a former domestic violence offender,
gave another perspective on the issue. He said when an
argument between him and his wife turned physical, he
slapped her. He was arrested and his wife filed a restrain
ing order against him. He said she eventually wanted to
drop the charges but he refused, because he wanted to take
responsibility for what he'd done. He was put in a court
ordered program for first-time offenders that he said
helped him manage anger and conflict while becoming a
better man.
"One thing about the class is it makes you take owner
ship," said Eddings, who is now divorced.
The event also included Mayor Allen Joines reading a
Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation and a
prayer by Police Chaplain Dr. Nathan Scovens. Actor and
activist Julian Brittano read the names of those who died
because of domestic violence locally and WXII 12's
Nicole Ducouer presented a video on the issue.
Winston-Salem Police Department (WSPD) Lt. Eric
Montgomery and Chief Barry Rountree also made
remarks. Kathryn Mobley of WSTV (The Government
Channel) was the mistress of ceremonies.
There will be reminders of domestic violence around
the city in October. Silent Witnesses, purple silhouette
stand-ups that bear the names and stories of those killed
because of domestic violence, will once again be dis
played around town. Purple ribbons are tied around trees
at Corpening Plaza and the Public Safety Center. Some
downtown buildings will be lit up with purple lights. A
WSPD car decorated to bring awareness to the issue will
be at numerous public events.
Eliza's Helping Hands Crisis Line is (336) 865-0389.
The Domestic Violence National Hotline is 1-800-799
SAFE.
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