“Breaking the Silence” at Fayetteville State University

March 18, 2014 located at the Shaw Auditorium

            Have you or someone you know ever been in a violent relationship and you didn’t know what to do? There is a lot of information out there about domestic violence, but no one really pays attention until it affects their life.

Bronco Women advisor, Mrs. April Raines, hosted an event for Fayetteville State University, “Breaking the Silence.” The event gave attendees the opportunity to hear personal stories about domestic violence and to bring important information to the forefront.

Chief Hassell opened the event with his personal stories about how he grew up in a home with domestic violence and bad influences.  He went on to discuss overcoming these obstacles to become the great man he is today.

Officer Kamille Brown, also from Fayetteville State University’s campus police, was a second speaker at the event. When you see her, she comes across as a strong woman, but when she spoke about her life she was very sincere and soft spoken; you could understand clearly why she has that strong demeanor.

Officer Brown spoke about how she grew up as well.  She discussed her mother’s relationships, the domestic violence that peppered her childhood, and how her mother’s relationships affected her view on men.

Even with apprehensions about men, it never stopped her from being a great daughter, mother, and working woman with ambition.  Her mother also got out of that relationship, and she is living a very happy and successful life. That truly shows that you can get out of that kind of situation and be successful and happy again.

Last but certainly not least, the main speaker for the event was Ms. Hester Davis.  She is an intern with the Masters in Social Work Program.  Hester is a Fayetteville State University Graduate Student, Alabama State University B.S.W, mentor of youth for 25 years, and she is a wonderful mother, grandmother and soon to be wife.

March 18^th was the first day she spoke out about her past experiences with domestic violence, and how that led to losing her daughter Khadijah.  Her past wasn’t a pretty one, and in the beginning she didn’t know what kind of man she was dealing with. Most women don’t know when they are in a relationship that embodies domestic violence, or they have a difficult time admitting it.  Ms. Davis had finally had enough when her daughter passed away, so she started doing her research and got out.

The messages heard on March 18^th were powerful ones, and messages meant to inspire young men and women to help as much as they can and to find someone who can help.  After the speakers, we did something truly special, we celebrated Khadijah by setting free white balloons on her birthday.

Ms. Davis is an inspiration to young women and men, and she wants to help as much as she can so they wont have to go through the same things she did. 

If you are suffering from domestic violence don’t be afraid to get away and ask for help; you never know until you try and it can save your life.