It’s Time to get honest about domestic violence.
“Lexington has had at least 12 homicides related to domestic violence so far this year,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “That is far more than we have ever had before. It’s Time to work together on solutions.”
This morning, community leaders joined Gorton for a news conference to discuss a new public awareness campaign.
“Many instances of domestic violence can be prevented,” said Diane Fleet with Greenhouse 17. “We must start providing safe spaces for people to talk about what’s going on at home. I’m excited about this campaign because its goal is to do just that. It’s Time to get honest about Domestic Violence.”
Several local community leaders took part in this first part of the campaign to lend their voices to the cause including Ouita Michel, Everett McCorvey, LeTonia Jones, Amanda Ralston, Sam Fore, Whit Whitaker, leaders of the justice system, and many others.
Gorton said the city will begin encouraging the victims of domestic to call 3-1-1 for assistance and referral. “It’s a small step, but an important one,” Gorton said. “Domestic violence victims need a simple way to ask for help.”
Gorton said it’s great to see the community united in building awareness of the issue of domestic violence. “Domestic violence often happens in isolation,” she said. “We will need the whole community together; judges, advocates, survivors, prosecutors, and residents to speak up and say: It’s Time, Lexington.”
The event on Wednesday was to launch the first of a three-phase project. Phase one is designed to increase knowledge and conversation about the complex issue of domestic violence. Phase two, set to begin in January 2023, will be about having those conversations as a community through honest conversations city-wide. Phase three will ask people to commit to action with practical things everyone can do to help prevent domestic violence.
“We are thrilled by this project,” said Stephanie Theakston of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Coalition. “Those of us who work in this field know that It’s Time. It’s Time to talk about this complex issue. It’s Time to get honest about the impact it is having on our families and community at large. It’s Time to change. It’s Time.”
