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A number of local organizations came together to spread the
message in a conversation titled "NO MORE"-"Domestic
Violence on Lockdown.” Panel participants emphasized that
domestic violence is an epidemic affecting individuals
regardless of age, race, or nationality and it plagues every
community
The National Association of Negro Business and Professional
Women's Club Inc. -both Toledo Club and Maumee Bay Adult and
Youth Clubs; YWCA of NW Ohio; YMCA; Top Ladies of
Distinction; Toledo Public Schools; The National Sorority of
Phi Delta Kappa Beta Gamma Chapter; ABC Healthcare; Alpha
Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Books 4 Buddies; Lucas
Metropolitan Housing Authority and the Monroe Neighborhood
Center collaborated to bring awareness to the fact that
there are resources that can help save lives and assist
individuals who need help with treatment, shelter and
counseling. Many times individuals hide the fact that they
are being abused.
Frances Collins, PhD, NANBPWC Toledo Club president; Dorothy
Batson, Phi Delta Kappa Beta Gamma Chapter, and Pattie
Poston, NANBPWC 1st vice president and program chairman,
welcomed the audience and mentioned how even today domestic
violence is prevalent in the news and here in Toledo. The
purpose of the discussion was to dig deeper to into the real
life experiences of domestic violence and give a chance for
guests to speak to qualified professions who deal with
domestic violence in an ongoing basis.
Panelists consisted of Pastor John Hicklin from the Toledo
Police Department and Toledo Public Schools along with
Officer Dana Slay of TPD; Jan Bruggerman, director of the
YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter; Theresa Talton, director of
TPD Domestic Violence Unit; Kari Black, director of the YWCA
Hope Rape Crisis Center and human trafficking along with
Taylor Riggs-Coleman, special guest.
Moderators Denise Black-Poon and Brenda Holsey guided
questions for the panelists that ranged from knowing the
signs of an abusive partner, explaining where victims can go
to receive help, shelter, counseling, and also the issues
of bullying, human trafficking, violence in the schools,
children in abuse, etc.
Lisa McDuffie, president/CEO of the YWCA, mentioned a
program that states “Together we can end domestic violence &
sexual assault" titled "NO MORE" which encourages everyone
to play a very important part in stopping this problem
before it results in physical harm, psychological trauma or
even death.
These organizations encourage you to know the signs of an
abuser and how someone who is too controlling may be someone
you should watch out for. If you see domestic violence that
is out of hand, call 911.
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