The Ark Domestic Violence Shelter and a crowd of supporters held a “Walk-a –Block in their Shoes” and balloon release to honor domestic violence victims on Friday evening.
Supporters and those touched by domestic violence walked the block around the courthouse, in honor of those who have survived domestic violence, those still fighting it and those who have lost their lives to it.Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Brownwood and presented a copy of the proclamation to officials at the Ark.
Mayor Haynes read the proclamation which pointed out that domestic violence touches people of many different ages, races and economic situations. He honored the victims who have survived and fought to help others in the struggle against domestic violence and bring awareness to the cause.
“It is survivors of domestic violence themselves who have been at the forefront of the efforts to bring peace and equality to their cause,” stated Mayor Haynes. “Now therefore, in recognition of the important work of the Pecan Valley Regional Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Shelter Inc., doing business as the Ark, I Stephen E. Haynes, Mayor of the City of Brownwood hereby proclaim the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the city of Brownwood and urge all citizens to actively participate in the scheduled activities and programs to work toward the victims’ safety and holding the perpetrators of domestic violence accountable for their actions.”
After the reading of the proclamation, Stacy Reitz of the Ark spoke.
“As I was sitting there inflating and tying those balloons and thinking of what I was going to come out and say to everyone, I really had no idea. But as the room filled up, I realized the enormity of that number, 104, it really began to weigh on me. That’s one balloon for every life that was lost in 2012 to the senseless epidemic we all know as domestic violence and everyone here has been touched by that epidemic,” she said.
She explained the significance of some of the balloons, “This one balloon represents the 11,994 adults and 14,534 children across Texas, in 2012 alone, who sought refuge in shelters like the Ark. And then this balloon represents the hundreds of human beings that endured abuse from the hands of a loved one today alone. They are still fighting the fight and we are still fighting the fight.”
Reitz gave some encouraging words and advise to those who were present, ways to help the victims of domestic violence.
“So instead of standing up here and reading you statistics and numbers, I just want to encourage you all to love one another. How many of the mothers, daughters, sisters and best friends that these balloons represent knew that they would never again have the opportunity to tell their mothers that they loved them, or have the opportunity to chat or to just stop what they were doing and listen to their kids tell of their day at school or to hold them a little tighter than they ever have before, they had no idea,” explained Reitz. “We have to love one another, forgive the imperfections of each other, encourage one another and help one another. If you know someone that is hurting, love them enough to listen to them and believe them, tell them about places like the Ark, or stay in your own house and call the police if you believe that abuse is happening.”
Those present held a moment of silence before the 104 purple balloons were released which represented victims who have lost their lives during 2012. Above and below are photos from the event.
Air Evac Lifeteam members came to honoring the memory of a friend lost to domestic violence, Amber Lowery.
Mayor Haynes presents Domestic Violence Awareness proclamation.
