At last week’s Barbara Ann Campbell Memorial Breakfast, Hubbard House CEO Dr. Gail A. Patin delivered a powerful speech that asked and answered the questions on the minds of many in the community; namely, why should I, as an individual or organization in Jacksonville, support Hubbard House? What difference does Hubbard House make locally? And, how can I personally help to eradicate domestic violence? Her remarks, featured below, resonated and moved many to action.
Domestic Violence Address
23rd Annual Barbara Ann Campbell Memorial Breakfast, October 12, 2017
Hubbard House CEO Dr. Gail A. Patin
People often ask why I have chosen to make my life’s work the eradication of domestic violence. The reason is simple: Survivors. I am driven to see these courageous women, children and men live safe and satisfying lives that they choose for themselves. As I look out at each of you, I see this truth: You are with me. We are in this together.
It’s also true that together, as a community, we can eradicate domestic violence, especially domestic violence homicides.
To take our next steps in this work together, let’s begin by wrapping our hearts and minds around two truths that will inform our work going forward:
Truth one is this, and it’s difficult . . . Last year, we saw the number of domestic violence homicides climb to a 20-year high in Duval County.
Twelve (12) victims were shot, stabbed, strangled, drowned, set on fire, beaten to death and/or thrown out like trash by their intimate partners.
The word unacceptable doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Furthermore, it’s especially tragic because we didn’t have the opportunity to intervene in these situations. Not one of these victims were seeking services from Hubbard House when they were murdered.
So, truth one is this… In 2016, a record number of human beings in our community lost their lives to domestic violence, and none of them were receiving services from Hubbard House.
Here is truth two, and this is our best truth, the good news:
It doesn’t have to be this way! Hubbard House is here to help,
and we are saving lives together.
Last year, Hubbard House provided life-saving, life-changing services to 5,019 women, children and men here in our local community.
Right here in Jacksonville,
Survivors were safely sheltered and sustained.
They were supported, counseled, informed and educated.
They were helped to obtain injunctions for protection, and they were assisted in finding jobs and homes.
And you know what else? They are all alive today.
Every woman. Every child. Every man. Every person who sought Hubbard House services in 2016 – All of them – are alive right now.
Taken together, what do these two truths mean? They mean that there are people dying in our community because of domestic violence, and they don’t have to because we have a solution that works! We simply must reach them, survivors living in these situations, through greater awareness of domestic violence and of our services, so more survivors will turn to us. Awareness, after all, is why we are here today.
As we move forward in this work we are doing together, here are two ways that you can maintain or deepen your commitment to the cause, the eradication of domestic violence.
One. Share about domestic violence and Hubbard House with those in your circle of influence – leave our “What is abuse?” cards in your break room, schedule a Hubbard House speaker to talk with your group about domestic violence, or share one of our informative Twitter or Facebook posts with your friends or followers.
You know, on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States, and one in three women experiences physical violence, sexual violence or stalking from an intimate partner in their lifetimes, so you will reach someone in need. Someone that we, Hubbard House, can’t reach on our own.
Two. Please continue to support the work of Hubbard House with your time and your treasure. In so doing, you are providing a place for survivors and their children to turn for help, when they need help most. And, the truth is, miracles happen in our halls! You are also making our community a better place to live, because when life gets better for some of us, it gets better for all of us.
Because of you, lives are saved and hearts are healed. Thank you so much for your support.