Taking Back the Night

Annual program raises awareness of domestic violence

LISBON -- Helping victims become survivors, connecting them with necessary resources and holding abusers accountable -- that's the work done by local advocates against domestic violence.

"I applaud all of you," Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Magistrate Tammie Riley Jones said Thursday during the annual Take Back the Night walk and domestic violence awareness program.

"Let respect for survivors' choices, wishes, rights and dignity guide your actions," she told the advocates and volunteers present.

As a longtime county assistant prosecutor and now a magistrate, Jones has worked with victims in many different capacities over the years. She said she saw firsthand what can happen, how victims will sometime recant, fail to follow through or return to their abuser. Workers may question whether their efforts are worth it. But she stressed to the staff and collaborators with the Christina House Domestic Violence Program, "As we stand her together, your work does make a difference and is so very important. Your work is helping victims become survivors."

She said they help survivors regain control of their lives.

Jones explained that there can be barriers, such as financial, the children, legal actions and blame. What advocates do can help victims see a way out.

During the program, Christina House Program Manager Debbie Chaffin defined domestic violence as "a pattern of behavior used by one person to gain and maintain power and control over another. It occurs between people who are current or former intimate partners, family members or household members."

She said the behavior "involves physical, sexual, emotional, psychological or economic actions that hurt, scare or isolate the victim."

Chaffin described the phases, too, starting with tensions building and the abuser finding reasons or excuses to abuse the other person, then there's the actual abuse phase, followed by the honeymoon phase when the abuser is sorry, promises to change and won't do it again, before the cycle keeps repeating itself until the victim decides to leave.

She said that's the most dangerous time because the abuser is losing control and will do anything to keep it.

During the program, Outreach Coordinator Nickie Ostick read from the proclamation approved by county commissioners last month declaring October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, urging all citizens to learn more about prevention of domestic violence and to show support for organizations and individuals who provide "critical advocacy, services and assistance to victims."

"We always appreciate the support we get from the community," Ostick said.

Nancy Voitus, executive director of the Catholic Charities Regional Agency, kicked off the event with a prayer and explained that the Christina House was named after St. Christina, who was tortured and abused by her father and subsequently murdered viciously. She said she had a strong faith.

Chaffin shared the Christina House program statistics from January through September: 47 women and children sheltered; 575 crisis calls; 673 referrals; 550 legal advocate calls; 217 protection orders issued; 18 outreach events; and 784 people in attendance at events.

She also introduced staff members and collaboration board members who were present for the Take Back the Night program. After the program, participants, including survivors, gathered outside and then walked around the block to promote awareness.

The Christina House provides emergency shelter, case management, counseling and legal advocacy, along with crisis intervention through the 24-hour crisis and text line and an emergency assistance program to help with food, utilities and rent to all residents of the county. The 24-hour crisis text line is 234-335-7908. The Christina House Domestic Violence Program can be reached at 330-420-0036.