Tallahassee residents “Speak Out” against domestic violence

 

“Two to four million women a year are battered and domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women aged 15 to 44.”

Refuge House is a women and children’s shelter that has been providing services to survivors and victims of domestic and sexual violence for over 20 years. Refuge House is having a candlelight vigil at Tom Brown Park Oct. 20th from 6-8 p.m.  Ghia Kelly, who is the Training & Community Ed. Program Director at Refuge House said, “The Speak Out is to honor survivors of domestic violence and bring awareness to the community.” Kelly said the theme of this year’s Speak Out is “Family and Friends” and the importance of support from them for the victims and survivors. The “Speak Out” will consist of entertainment such as music, dance and poetry. The keynote speaker will be Akin Akinyemi, who is commissioner of Leon County and has been a member of the Leon County community board for over 20 years.  He is a graduate of Florida A&M University’s School of Architecture, and currently serves as President/CEO of Akin & Associates Architects, Inc., a local Architecture and Design firm. Kelly said survivors will also speak and share their stories. FSU Victim Advocacy Program, Florida Council Against Domestic Violence (FCADV), Workforce, FSU Career Center and Big Bend Cares are just a few of the agencies that will have booths set up at the event. Kelly said “Domestic violence is a world health issue. If it affects one it affects all.”