Familiar faces take stand against domestic violence

By Keith Testa - Oct 29, 2013 | 0 comments

Byron Champlin, Lincoln Financial Group

Jessica Fogg, CCCNH Board Member

Diana Johnson, Merrimack County Savings Bank

Marianne Fleischman, Concord

Gene Connolly, Concord High School Principal

Chris Emond, Concord Boys & Girls Club

Amy Currie, CCCNH Board Member

Robert Fleischman, Concord

Sylvia Larsen, State Senator

Kevin Flynn, Concord

Tara Reardon, CCCNH Board Chairwoman

John Duval, Concord Chief of Police

Amanda Grady Sexton, N.H. Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

Jill Rockey, CCCNH Executive Director

James Bouley, Concord Mayor

In Merrimack County, one in two women will experience domestic and/or sexual violence in their lifetime. Where and how does this violence flourish and thrive? Silence and inaction are key factors. The obvious antidote is to talk about it openly and act. The Crisis Center of Central New Hampshire did both Oct. 22 at its Casey Gwinn If You Build it They Will Come event, marking October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. National speaker Casey Gwinn spoke emotionally and eloquently about the epidemic of domestic and sexual assault and proven interventions and prevention strategies.

“This is a matter of life and death, we need to engage in ‘top of the cliff’ actions like educating our youth that family violence is not okay, that choosing violence is never the answer, and that victims must have comprehensive support rather than the shame and indifference they often face,” Gwinn said. “Our prisons are full of those whose crimes are rooted in family violence, people who suffer this crime are often negatively marked for life, and they are not only usually women, but innocent bystanders such as our precious children.”

More than 80 attendees, and other inpiduals, were offered the opportunity to “take a stand” against this violence by making a statement about this tragic crime. Photos have been collected of our “allies” holding the No More sign, filling in the blank with a word or words expressing their feelings or a call to action. Below, a number of familiar faces are represented. No More is a new unifying symbol designed to galvanize greater awareness and action to end domestic violence and sexual assault. Supported by major organizations working to address these urgent issues, No More is gaining support with Americans nationwide, sparking new conversations about these problems and moving this cause higher on the public agenda.

“When family violence occurs, it has a ripple effect. This is a difficult topic to talk about, but unless we do we will not end domestic violence. We all need to step up,” said Concord Mayor Jim Bouley, the event’s official host.

The costs of domestic violence are incalculable to the victims, their children and families. This violence affects our schools, childhood development, health, and our communities. Studies show that domestic violence costs the United States up to $8.3 billion annually. The surgeon general’s office reveals that domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44, more common than automobile accidents, muggings, and cancer deaths combined.

Unlike many other threats to our well being, domestic violence is preventable. I urge the community to join us in this conversation as a first step in ending this violence.