©2011 Galesburg Broadcasting Co.
| Taking Back the Night |
There was the stated theme -- then, there was another important theme at a rally Thursday night designed to raise awareness about a very serious problem.
The 17th "Take Back the Night" rally hosted by Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center was Thursday at Lake Storey. The pavillion was decorated like a scene from the movie "The Wizard of Oz" to coincide with the theme "There's No Place Like a Safe Home."
But victims and those representing them got the chance throughout the night to tell their stories. Patti Estep, a Safe Harbor worker, told the story of one person who created an important message for herself, as what was described as torture went on in the girl's life, even well into adulthood.
CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO
State Rep. Don Moffitt (R-Gilson) told the crowd while it's true that, as the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to help victims of abuse.
CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO
Moffitt says for him, last night's rally was also about sending a message to those who commit acts of domestic violence: we won't stand for or tolerate any form of attack on another human. He says because of the efforts of those like Safe Harbor, children and their families will be protected.
Two Knox College students say they didn't think they would feel ready to tell their stories at the rally, but they diid.
One student, who asked to remain anonymous but is involved with an anti-abuse group on campus, says he was a victim of child abuse, and didn't understand then what he knows now.
CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO
The student says his parents later sought counseling, and involved him, and to this day, his younger brother hasn't endured the abuse he did.
Another student, 21-year old Katie Haynes, says her father was verbally and mentally abusive, and to this day, that can make life difficult for her.
CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO
Haynes says she has a boyfriend whom she knows cares deeply for her, but she still has that fear, and hopes to one day overcome that.
"Don't let anyone tell you that words don't mean anything," Haynes said.
A candlelight vigil completed the night. Safe Harbor served 411 adult victims of various forms of abuse in the last year, and 265 child victims.
(Volunteers take part in a "Wizard of Oz"-themed skit at Thursday's "Take Back the Night" rally.)
(Attendees join in a chant of "No More" during a story about a survivor of domestic abuse.)
("The T-Shirt Project" was on display. WGIL News Story and Photos by Will Stevenson.) |
|
| 10 15 10 by Newsroom |
Click here for the WGIL News Archive
Click here for national news
The following provision applies to all visitors (which shall include persons and representatives of legal entities, whether such representatives are persons or digital engines of a kind that crawls, indexes, scrapes, copies, stores or transmits digital content). By accessing this Web site or digital service, you specifically acknowledge and agree that: (i) Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium; (ii) No Associated Press materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and non-commercial use; (iii) The Associated Press will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing; (iv) The Associated Press is an intended third party beneficiary of these terms and conditions and it may exercise all rights and remedies available to it; and (v) The Associated Press reserves the right to audit possible unauthorized commercial use of AP materials or any portion thereof at any time.
