GREENVILLE, NC - More than half of all women murdered in the US will be killed by an ex-lover. Domestic violence is a growing problem across the country and right here in the east. On Thursday at a vigil the center for family violence prevention wanted to remember the victims of domestic violence.
They are strangers whose lives have been forever changed by domestic violence. A room of people at Greenville City Hall gathered for a vigil to remember friends, family members, and even strangers whose lives came to violent ends.
“So many people have false interpretations of what it is and how simple it is to get out, but it's not that simple,” said Allen Thomas of Operation Freedom.
His mother's killer was no stranger at all-- it was his own father. Through a stream of tears he tells about his father breaking a restraining order and killing his mother-- stabbing her to death in her own kitchen.
“It's just good to finally have closure for me and to see how other people were impacted by it,” said Boswell.
Boswell still struggles with her mother's murder-- one she says she never expected. domestic violence can happen to anyone--- men, women, and even children. On average in the US three women and one man die everyday at the hands of domestic violence.
It's been years since their mothers died, but everyday they say is a challenge.
“I don't mind doing this because I don't mind being the voice of those who feel voiceless; I don't mind being the hope for those who feel hopeless,” said Thomas.
Time has proven leaving-- can be one of the hardest parts.
“It can take up to seven times for someone to leave a domestic violence situation and stay out of it,” said Catonnia Pitt, Manager of the Family Violence Prevention.
Other organizations like the center for family violence are there so no one ever has to be alone. Counselors say one of the most dangerous things a person can do is to downplay violence in the last decade the state has enacted a number of new laws to protect victims of domestic violence.
Counselors say one of the most dangerous things a person can do is to downplay violence. In the last decade the state has enacted a number of new laws to protect victims of domestic violence. Click herefor a list of places where you can help for domestic violence. The Center for Family Violence Prevention is also releasing a calendar of “men who care”. There's also a 24 hour crisis hotline that can be reached at 252.752.3811.
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