by David Chapman
Staff Writer
Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford and law enforcement officials from several Northeast Florida counties came together in a show of unity with Hubbard House Wednesday to garner attention toward ending domestic violence and celebrate the launch of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Unlike other crimes that have seen a decrease in numbers thus far this year, domestic violence cases have increased around the region, according to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement study showing trends from the first half of 2009. The correlation between the rise in cases and the downturn in the economy isn’t clear, but the trend is one Col. Todd Thompson, law enforcement director in St. Johns County, hopes to see reversed.
“We’ve been here year after year,” said Thompson, “and it’s disturbing we don’t see the stat declining.”
Rutherford said the key to tackling the issue is simple, but needs to be approached on numerous levels.
“Awareness is critical and key to this issue,” he said, “because the stats show that those who do come forward seeking help, the most vulnerable, are helped ... it’s just getting the message out.”
According to Hubbard House Chief Executive Officer Ellen Siler, the increase in the need for services has been around 10 percent during the time of the economic decline. In addition to the increase in number of cases, she’s also seen the severity of cases rise.
It’s an issue that isn’t bound by race, but instead by gender, said Siler during her appeal for awareness.
Observations from a 2008 version of the organization’s Duval County Domestic Violence Mortality Review, an annual study that highlights domestic violence homicide cases, showed males were the overwhelming offenders and 71 percent of the intimate homicides were males killing females.
Awareness, said Siler, is critical as the support system in place to aid victims has no chance to lend aid if family members, friends, coworkers or neighbors who are aware of such domestic violence don’t report cases.
“Let someone know,” said Siler. “Tell someone, give us an opportunity to help.”
The joint ceremony and ensuing month of awareness events are valuable ways to further the spotlight on the issue, said Shandra Riffey, executive director of Micah’s Place. During the event, Riffey talked of the physical and emotional damage that domestic violence can inflict and encouraged those who are victims to come forward to help while calling on the community to step up and do its part in ending the problem.
Former Miss Florida USA 2001 Julie Donaldson, a domestic violence survivor, donates time to Hubbard House and believes getting the message out is vital to curbing the trends.
“It’s an opportunity to put the crime in the spotlight,” said Donaldson, on why she volunteers her time to the organization. “It’s about educating the community and making a difference.”
The event also officially launched the October awareness campaign, as Rutherford was ceremoniously adorned with a purple ribbon pin that will be worn by law enforcement and the community over the month to raise awareness.
Other events scheduled include “Go Purple Day” Oct. 6, when the community is asked to wear a purple clothing item in observance; the 15th annual Barbara Ann Campbell Memorial Breakfast, also Oct. 6, to honor former Mayor Jake Godbold’s sister-in-law, who was killed by her husband in 1995; and Hubbard House’s participation in the Southern Women’s Show Oct. 15-18.
For more information on Hubbard House and the events, go to www.hubbardhouse.org.
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