I have received a great deal of feedback following the recent Indianapolis Star article depicting my personal fight against domestic violence. I vividly remember waking up in a police car on the night my estranged father broke into our home and put a shotgun to my mother’s head.
It is heartbreaking to know that I am not the only one with a story like this. In the U.S. there are 15.5 million children who live in families in which domestic violence occurred at least once in the past year. Many of you have shared with me about your personal connection to domestic violence. I applaud your courage and value your honesty. It is important that we do not sit idle and allow these incidents to continue to happen. Now is the time to take a stand and say, “no more.”
I am not ashamed to talk about my experience – no one should be. Sharing your experience can empower others and let them know they are not alone. As a child, my family was looked down upon because of the negative publicity surrounding my father. I am proud of the fact that I overcame those circumstances and made a better life for myself. In addition, my experience has given me empathy for others in similar situations.
I am honored to join House Speaker Brian Bosma in supporting the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV). The Speaker has chosen the ICADV as his charity initiative this year. The ICADV, founded in 1980, is a statewide coalition of domestic violence programs, support agencies and concerned individuals. They provide technical assistance, resources, information and training to those who serve victims of domestic violence. Their goal is to eliminate domestic violence through the implementation of prevention programs and public awareness.
The charity drive kicked off on Organization Day as legislators, staff and other state office holders donated gift cards, linens and other items to the organization. It was encouraging to see the vast amount of donations collected that day, and I am pleased to know that the ICADV will distribute these items to victims across the state.
On their website, the ICADV has a resource directory that provides a map and list of all domestic violence services in the state. They also provide a 24-hour statewide hotline for victims of domestic violence. The number to call is800-332-7385. For more information about the ICADV, please visit their website at www.icadvinc.org.
It is my hope that sharing my story will encourage more conversations about domestic violence and ultimately, bring it to an end.
