For those collegians and alumnae living in Tallahassee, be sure to check out to Domestic Violence exhibit in Stroizer library
“A batterer doesn’t slow down when he sees red,” said Kisha Wilkinson, assistant news director at WTXL-TV and a domestic violence survivor.
Wilkinson, one of three speakers at Tuesday’s press event, shared her horrifying story of being beaten by “the man of my dreams,” her husband. He is serving a 20-year sentence for the violence he inflicted on Wilkinson and her teenage daughter in 2008.”My dream marriage became my nightmare— a nightmare I still remember,” Wilkinson said. “Every time I share this story, the pain does ease up a little. It’s helping me to heal.”
Ghia Kelly, training and community education program director at Refuge House, the Big Bend’s shelter for victims of domestic violence, said her agency is encountering ever younger clients. It’s not unusual for Refuge House to work with middle-school students, she said.
“Dating violence is a huge issue. It’s something we need to talk to our children about,” Kelly said.
Children who witness abuse are twice as likely to become perpetrators or abusers, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and child abuse occurs in 50 to 70 percent of the homes where there is domestic abuse.
See Red is a community awareness program sponsored by Verizon Wireless. The exhibit is located in the Learning Commons on Strozier Library’s first floor, and it will be on display until April 14.
if any one makes it to the show, please be sure to snap a few photos, and we will add them to the blog. Send us an email at axofloridastate {at} gmail {dot} com
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