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Violence prevention requires community and individual change to be effective, and deep-seated beliefs complicate meaningful shifts. Change does not happen quickly—and time is not on our side.

Domestic violence was seldom a topic of public discourse before 1970. Only 50 years have passed since grassroots rallies, known then as the battered women’s movement, began to raise awareness and call for change. Two decades would pass before the Violence Against Women Act established domestic violence as a federal crime in 1994. This important legislation was signed three months after the infamous police chase of a professional football player attempting to flee domestic homicide charges.

I have witnessed promising community-based solutions since this time. The Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a 15-member network of primary services providers, has been leading the change. Local fatality review committees, coordinated in Lexington by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Coalition, identify gaps that could have prevented the tragedy. Most recently, Mayor Gorton has convened experts from various sectors to determine best-practice strategies.

My role offers the opportunity to discuss these issues with hundreds of people monthly. These conversations remind me that our community wants the violence to end. A survivor recently shared her story with a small group that had gathered to raise awareness and funding for our services. A guest asked which services were helpful to her. The survivor explained that having time to begin healing was the most important.

Research and practice suggest it takes an average of seven attempts, often made over many years, to escape domestic violence permanently. Dozens of factors inform a victim’s decision to reunite with the abuser. Lack of a supportive network, experiences of homelessness after fleeing, and concerns about losing custody of children are common. The most pervasive reason can be more difficult to reckon.

The decision to stay or return is made to keep themselves and their children alive.

Leaving is the most dangerous time, especially if the abuser has access to firearms. Surviving abuse requires a keen sense of threat detection. Victims perceive signs of imminent and more violent abuse, possibly lethal harm, easily missed by others.

When able to establish safety, survivors seldom have time to focus on healing the physical and emotional wounds of abuse. A long uphill battle for stability demands immediate attention. The fallout of financial abuse, part and parcel of domestic violence, can feel insurmountable—lack of affordable housing and living wage employment in our region delay possibilities.

October is a time to demonstrate your support for survivors of domestic violence. Seeking answers to questions can be a good place to start. Does your workplace have a domestic violence policy? How does your place of faith respond to disclosures of intimate partner abuse? Does your professional role require you to provide information and referral if abuse is suspected?

I urge you to participate in domestic violence awareness activities this month. Identify yourself as an advocate and call for an end to the violence. It’s about time.

They say time heals all wounds. My 30 years as an advocate for survivors of domestic violence tell a different story. 

National Domestic Violence Month, recognized annually in October, has begun while Kentucky battles devastating rates of domestic violence homicide. This year’s first domestic violence homicide happened a week into January. Five murders by abusive partners were reported during one weekend the following month.

Recent headlines confirm the startling rate of homicide continues. Even before lockdowns, three women in the U.S. were murdered by an intimate partner daily. A report released by the Council on Criminal Justice found that domestic violence increased 8.1% during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic response. Historically marginalized groups saw more substantial increases.

Kentucky is not alone in this challenge. Texas, Missouri, and other states face unprecedented domestic homicides. Increased stress, unemployment, and substance use are often blamed for the violence. Time will likely reveal a storm of existing social factors and pandemic causes.

The more pressing question remains. How do we protect adults and children at risk for lethal violence today?

Recent legislative improvements will help. Changes to Kentucky’s strangulation laws aim to hold abusers accountable, and fair housing protections improve the rental rights of domestic violence victims. An act signed by Governor Beshear this April launched a coordinated statewide system for tracking homicides related to domestic violence.

“The films are unlike any other you can see throughout the year.” 

LUNAFEST Lexington is back in person this year at the historic Kentucky Theatre. This evening of short films promotes women and gender nonconforming storytellers from around the world, while raising funds to support our mission.  

Three local women – Geni Osborn, Helue Shalash, and Pam Holbrook – came together more than a decade ago with the goal of organizing an event to support survivors of intimate partner abuse. 

Their efforts brought the traveling film festival to our region, and in the years since, the event has raised more than $100,000 to support services.  

“We all face challenges as we walk through life – some are more difficult to overcome than others,” shares Geni. “LUNAFEST is a great opportunity to support the individuals in our community as they chart a new, healthier path for themselves and their families.”  

This year’s event features eight short films, each less than 10 minutes long. The stories range from an animated poem about coping with isolation during the pandemic to a 13-year-old girl building a mobile app to help kids stay connected to their incarcerated parents.  

Brought to you by LUNA, maker of the whole-nutrition bar for women. 

It’s about time to end domestic violence. 

October 20 is Purple Thursday, an annual day to show support for survivors during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  

The color purple is a symbol of peace, courage, survival, honor, and dedication to ending violence. It’s believed the color’s connection to our mission might have begun during women’s suffrage.  

In 1978, thousands of advocates for women’s equal rights wore purple when they marched in Washington, D.C. Today the color honors this history, survivors of abuse, and those lives that have been ended too early.  

Why is Purple Thursday Important?

Purple Thursday is important to our mission because raising awareness is an essential part of working to end the cycle of abuse. 

It’s time to wear purple shirts, hats, nail polish, ties, and more! It’s time to identify yourself as an advocate and raise awareness. It’s time to let survivors know there’s a large community here to support their path to safety.  

We are so lucky to have a generous community that cares about survivors.  

Amy Rowell – who owns PK’s Gift Closet – shares her collaboration with Jiggy on a lovely puzzle that supports survivors.   

Thank you, Amy!   

I first found out about GreenHouse17 when I donated in memory of a family friend who had spent some time there. When I looked it up to find out more about it, I was so comforted at what a refuge it seemed to be, and I loved the incredible skills that were taught in such a serene environment. I imagined my friend loved being there and found strength in being able to thrive in peace.   

I wasn’t living in Kentucky when I first heard about it, but I moved back in 2020 to start my own business. (I’m a native Lexingtonian.) I believe in serving others in all ways always… and I was anxious to find something local to support and remembered GreenHouse17. Of course, 2020 was a mess but I tried to help as much as I could.   

When I got my business up and going, charity was an important part of my business plan right from the start, even if I couldn’t give as much as I wanted in the beginning. In the Bible, it says to “use your gifts to serve one another” so I knew I had other ways to support them.   

Giving my time and efforts to others takes me away from myself (which is a good thing) and allows me to focus on blessing others. It’s also wonderful for learning, like discovering that pulling weeds and cleaning up a garden is very VERY tough work…and that organizing is truly my love language!  

When the opportunity to do a puzzle with Jiggy came along, which is a dream collaboration for me, it was important to me to give back through that personal blessing and GreenHouse17 was the perfect partner. I always want the ladies there to be empowered and have every chance to create a life for themselves from their own minds, hearts, and hands. GreenHouse17 is the perfect place for them to start.  

As for the puzzle, I thought a colorful pile of ribbons would be so fun to work as a jigsaw puzzle… and thankfully, the wonderful team at Jiggy agreed with me! I picked some of my favorite colors and patterns and styled them into a rainbow swirl of vibrancy that turned out beautifully!   

It’s packaged so elegantly and would make for a cute hostess or housewarming gift… and don’t forget the holidays. Puzzles are so fun to work with family and friends! If you don’t already know, working a puzzle is a relaxing and rewarding (nothing like finding “that” piece) hobby!   

**Jiggy x PK puzzles are sold out!