Tag Archive for: #domesticviolence

TownTalk: Diamond Unique’s Domestic Violence Story

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Victims of domestic violence suffer at the hands of people who supposedly care for them – whether it’s physical or emotional abuse, or both, the suffering is real. But victims who make a plan to get out of a dangerous situation and then do so triumphantly call themselves survivors.

Once they choose survivor over victim, the tide turns and healing begins.

Just listen to Diamond Unique’s story, and you’ll hear what a survivor sounds like. She’s put the past behind her and she’s ready to share her story with others, in hopes of inspiring others who find themselves in similar circumstances.

The name Diamond Unique is not the name she was given at birth, but it is the name she goes by as she pursues a career as an actor, podcaster and author.

She reached out to WIZS to tell her story, “to let everyone know that I am a living testimony.” By sharing her story on various social media platforms, this single mother said she wants others to know they aren’t alone in their struggles.

Diamond said she thanks God for delivering her from her abuser. “Without the Lord, I would be nothing,” she said on Tuesday’s TownTalk. As she lay in a hospital bed, with a concussion from that last attack, she said God sent her a message: “You have a message, get your voice out. Let people know the real meaning of domestic violence.”

And now she’s using Facebook, Youtube, Instagram and Tik Tok to do just that. She said she’s got 20.8K Tik Tok followers, which she describes as “amazing…incredibly empowering.”

Domestic violence robs people of their self-love, their determination, Diamond said. “It makes you feel less than who you are,” she said. She felt like a nobody.

After she had gotten away from her abuser, she said “I could finally lift my head up and know that I was a person who made it through.”

She wants to send a message of empowerment to others through her acting and her video posts; she wants others who are suffering at the hands of abusers to know that there is more to life than their current situation.

Diamond is working on a book that chronicles her life and her experiences. The title is “Woman Behind the Bruises.” She doesn’t have a publication date yet, but she anticipates it will be out soon.

Find Diamond Unique on Facebook and Youtube; you’ll find her on Tik Tok and Instagram as Miss Pretty Ambitious.

Listen to the entire interview here.

The Local Skinny! Christmas Pop Up Shop To Support Domestic Violence Victims

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A local nonprofit organization that assists victims of domestic violence and sexual assault is sponsoring a Christmas Bazaar on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Kearah’s Place, located at 946 W. Andrews Ave., Suite O, is hosting the pop-up fundraiser which includes pictures with Santa, a silent auction and a number of vendors.

More than 1,000 have been helped over the past 10 years at Kearah’s Place, said Jasmine Bryant, executive director.

Kearah’s Place, online at www.kearahsplace.org, partners with numerous local agencies to help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault as they work through difficult times and strive to become self-sufficient.

“We want to support people in need…and empower people to grow better instead of bitter,” Bryant said on Monday’s segment of The Local Skinny! In addition to providing transitional housing, Kearah’s Place provides a range of victim advocacy services, as well as job skills workshops and more to help individuals get back on their feet, Bryant said. Call the office at 252.598.2025 to find out how Kearah’s Place can help.

Interested in becoming a vendor? There’s still time and space, said administrative assistant Courtney Anthony. “We have room for plenty more – the more the merrier,” Anthony said.

Contact Anthony at 252.204.8079 to learn more or email her at Canthony.kearahsplace@gmail.com.

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Families Living Violence Free

Families Living Violence Free Events Observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month In October

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October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Families Living Violence Free in Oxford is making plans to shine a light on what often can be a dark topic.

FLVF is holding a candelight vigil on Tuesday, Oct. 17, beginning at 5:30 p.m. and Peggy Roark, FLVF’s director, invites the community to participate.

The vigil is held to honor and remember victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The vigil will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Georgia Henrahand Cottage on the campus of Central Children’s Home.

A quarter auction fundraiser is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 6, at The Barn at Vino in Stem, Roark said.

Each $20 tickets gets you dinner and a bidding paddle.

The doors open at 5:45 p.m. and dinner begins at 6:15 p.m. The bidding fun begins at 7 p.m., so make sure to bring those rolls of quarters!

All proceeds go to direct service for domestic violence and sexual assault victims and survivors.

There will be vendors on site at the quarter auction, so bring some “folding money,” too.

Call 919.693.3579 to purchase tickets.

Learn more at https://flvf.org/

(FLVF is an advertiser with WIZS. This is not a paid ad.)

TownTalk: Infinite Possibilities Shines A Light On Domestic Violence Awareness

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Erin Carter says events like the one coming up Saturday at Aycock Rec Complex are about more than awareness – it’s a public demonstration of support to show victims and survivors of domestic violence that they aren’t alone in the fight to put an end to what has become all-too-common in society.

Carter and Bretanya Simmons work with Infinite Possibilities, Inc., a place where victims of abuse can go for support and help during a crisis. Carter is a victim’s advocate and Simmons is a court advocate and also works with area youth struggling with domestic violence situations.

The “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” event will start at 10 a.m., Carter told John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk.

“Events like this show our clients that we are all on the same page,” Simmons said. “It’s important for our clients to see us outside our roles sometimes,” she added.

Carter and Simmons are hoping to see lots of like-minded walkers Saturday. “We are hoping for a great turnout,” Carter said, adding that participants just need to show up, sign in to get a number from the information desk and be ready to walk by 10 a.m.

The main office is in Henderson, and Simmons’s office is in Warrenton, right beside the magistrate’s office.  Clients often are referred to her when they come in to get restraining orders for partners or spouses, she said. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, she said she saw an uptick in clients. But volume fell, she said, as the pandemic wore on: victims were stuck at home with their abusers, she said, and didn’t have an opportunity to seek help.

“Once the world stopped, and the majority of (people) were working at home, we didn’t see as many coming in – they didn’t get that time they normally would to reach out and get help with their situation,” Simmons said.

Those “situations” aren’t limited to physical abuse, Carter said. “Domestic violence is so much more than just physical abuse,” she added. Just because we don’t see bruises or other physical harm, doesn’t mean it’s not domestic violence, she said. There’s emotional abuse, financial abuse, spiritual abuse, as well as cyber bullying.

“That’s why education is so important,” Carter explained. “If we are educated, then we can help someone else.” Being able to create a conversation with someone you suspect may be a victim of domestic violence can be the first step to getting help for that person. “Create a conversation – not a coercive conversation, but an empathetic conversation, a gentle conversation…to provide information, could go a long way to help someone,” she said.

The Infinite Possibilities hotline is 252.425.2492. Learn more at infinitepossibiltiesinc.net or find them on Facebook.

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Families Living Violence Free

Need help filing a Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO)?

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— info from Families Living Violence Free

In Granville County and the surrounding area, Families Living Violence Free can help you with the process of filing a Domestic Violence Protective Order (DVPO). An Advocate can assist you with safety planning and filling out the order.

If you have filed a DVPO and would like to apply for free legal representation, call the 24/7 Crisis Line to speak with a trained Advocate. 919-693-5700; Español 919-690-0888.

An actual person will answer no matter where you call from and no matter what time it is.

(This is not a paid ad.)

Local News Audio

NoonNews 10-20-20 Domestic Violence;Vance Co. Fire Marshall;Men’s Shelte

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– Domestic Violence Awareness Month

– Vance Co. Fire Marshall

– Men’s Shelter

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Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Town Talk 10/08/19: Vance Co. Sheriff’s Office Reports 1,300+ Domestic Calls

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100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, WIZS’ Town Talk will feature local organizations that deal with various aspects of this prevalent type of abuse each Tuesday in October.

Debbie Scott, Gang Resource Specialist and Domestic Violence Investigator with the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, was on Tuesday’s edition of Town Talk to discuss her role as a “supporter and advocate for those who are afraid.”

According to Emergency 911 reports, 1,304 domestic calls were reported throughout the City of Henderson and County of Vance between October 1, 2018, and October 1, 2019. Of these calls, 445 were assaults involving the victim being struck by the attacker’s body or a weapon; 84 were sexual assaults.

Scott said that once she receives a report of a domestic call, she follows up with a phone call to the victim and explains their options and available resources.

“I advise them if they should seek further assistance, make recommendations and share with them community resources,” said Scott. “I also explain their right to file a Domestic Violence Protection Order, otherwise known as a 50B, and sometimes serve as their support in court.”

Scott stated that protection orders can be taken out at the Vance County Clerk of Court Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. and at the Magistrate Office after hours. The Vance County Courthouse is located at 156 Church St. in downtown Henderson.

Though Scott said many victims do not leave their partners after a domestic violence incident, she always suggests that they have a safety plan in the event that they do decide to remove themselves and their children from the abusive situation.

“I tell them to have some money set aside, at least a few dollars, talk to a family member or friend about staying with them for a few days, makes copies or take photos of important documents, keep a cell phone and don’t hesitate to call 911 or the Vance County Sheriff’s Office.”

When asked why victims do not leave abusive partners, Scott responded, “They’ll say they don’t have a job, they can’t support themselves or their kids, they worry about what will happen after they leave, they say they love them or think they will change; there are a variety of reasons.”

In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, resources and assistance for domestic violence victims are available at the Vance County Department of Social Services, located at 350 Ruin Creek Road in Henderson, or by calling the main office line at (252) 492-5001.

Infinite Possibilities, a non-profit domestic violence organization, is also available by calling (252) 431-1926 or the 24-hour local crisis line at (252) 425-2492. A National Hotline is also available by calling 1-800-799-7233.