At the 24th Annual Barbara Ann Campbell Memorial Breakfast, CEO Dr. Gail A. Patin’s speech emphasized not only our partnership to save and change the lives of local survivors of domestic violence but also other loss of life prevented.
2018 Domestic Violence Address
Thank you, Mary, for serving as our emcee year in and year out! You do such a wonderful job.
And, thank you to all of you, for attending the Hubbard House 24th Annual Barbara Ann Campbell Memorial Breakfast.
It’s my honor to be addressing you today as the CEO of Hubbard House and as a voice for victims and survivors of domestic violence.
You’ll note I said victims and survivors of domestic violence. This differentiation is intentional because we are going to spend part of our time together this morning thinking about and remembering
Recent.
Local.
victims of intimate partner domestic violence who died.
This week on Monday, October 1, Hubbard House, in a press conference with our partners, announced that, in Duval county, 9 people lost their lives due to intimate partner domestic violence last year, 7 were intimate partners (husbands, wives; boyfriends, girlfriends) and 2 were other family members:
- a victim’s adult daughter who was at the wrong place at the wrong time … shot dead
- And a 3-year-old child who was shot in the head during an attack in his own home, witnessed by his 5-year-old brother
We can see from these tragedies that domestic violence claims the lives of the victims directly involved in the relationship, but also family members:
- mothers; fathers
- grandparents
- brothers; sisters
- and children
Far too often children.
It’s part of what makes our work together so important!
As part of the movement against domestic violence and supporters of Hubbard House, we save the lives of victims of domestic violence,
but we also save the lives of all those
who could have been,
would have been
fatalities as well.
So, in the face of these 9 Duval deaths, how can we remain positive?
The big picture: In 2017, Hubbard House served 4,407 people, and they are all alive today.
But, when we stop to consider the broader picture, the true impact of our work together, we must also think of all the familial homicides we prevented by intervening at the right time, in the right way.
Here’s the impact of our work, in real terms:
- This morning, there are children alive and well, running and laughing on playgrounds because of what we do together.
- This morning, there are brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, grandparents, who are planning upcoming visits and vacations with one another, because of what we do together.
- This morning, there are local families who can eagerly look forward to holiday celebrations, to seeing every single face at the family table, every person whole and healthy … because of what we do together.
There are three things I’d like for you to know and three things I’d like to ask you to do…
Here’s what I’d like for you to know…
ONE. In partnership with all of you, Hubbard House provided life-saving and life-changing shelter and services to 4,407 people last year, and as much as domestic violence played a part, they are all alive today and so are their children, their brothers, their sisters, their parents.
TWO. Research and our institutional experience informs us that those who come into shelter and receive services are much more likely to find safety and to remain safe!
Which leads us to NUMBER THREE… Our growth item. More members in our community must be made aware, not only of domestic violence, but also of the free shelter and wrap-around services available through Hubbard House.
Then, they’ll know where to turn for help when they need help most. And, more survivors will find safety and more families will be spared suffering.
So, as Domestic Violence Awareness Month is just beginning, I ask you, friends and advocates, to consider these three simple but very significant assignments:
ONE. Read or reread those small cards on the table in front of you, titled, “What is Abuse?” It will help you identify abuse if it happens to you or someone you know or love.
Also, slip that card in your wallet so you’ll be ready to supply our 24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline Number to anyone in need.
TWO. If you haven’t, please put on that purple ribbon pin attached to that card. Put it on your lapel, over your heart. It means something very special. It means you are a part of the movement to end domestic violence. If anyone asks about it, tell them about domestic violence and about the life-saving and life-changing shelter and wrap-around services provided by Hubbard House: free to survivors and their children.
Three. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter and share one of our posts with the hashtag “#9TooMany.” This is our Domestic Violence Awareness Month social media hashtag. It recognizes the number of lives lost due to intimate partner domestic violence in Jacksonville last year. By sharing a “9TooMany” post, you will be spreading awareness of the problem – domestic violence – and the solution – Hubbard House. You may even play a role in saving the life of someone in your own circle.
Friends, I want you to know there is great hope in my heart. This past year, my first as the CEO of Hubbard House, I have met many of you and time and time again, you’ve asked this question: What can I do? What can we do?
With hearts like yours and determination like ours, we will continue to reach survivors AND our reach will grow; we will save and change lives right here in Duval and Baker Counties; and we will transform our community.
Thank you for your time and your caring.