Issue date: 10/16/08 Section: News

T-shirts with messages from survivors of domestic abuse are strung together at a pavilion in Morton Park. The phrase "There is hope" was common as survivors stood up and told stories about their lives and the abuse they have overcome with help from HOPE of east central Illinois.(Robbie Wroblewski/The Daily Eastern News)

Jennifer Bartel is a survivor.

She tearfully explained how her ex-boyfriend physically and mentally abused her throughout the length of their relationship.

He would throw harsh words at her, but she was left unscathed, accepting them as truth. Finally, after bouts of angry shakes and handprints painted blue on her arms, his violence culminated to a rape that left her suicidal and haunted.

Christine, who asked that her last name not be used to protect her privacy, is a survivor. She endured systematic abuse from her earliest memories until four years ago when her doctor raped her on a routine checkup. She said she never wanted her children to experience the abuse, but they knew more than she could have ever imagined.

Angie Hunt is also a survivor.

Hunt, who came to HOPE of East Central Illinois as a client 13 years ago and now serves as the group's housing program director, said, "Now, this is the part when I get choked up."

"I got to a point where I was thankful not to wake up to a knife at my throat at night. That's not right. We shouldn't be thankful for that. It's not right," she said.

These women took to the microphone that echoed in the Morton Park pavilion Wednesday to tell their stories in the hope that they would spread awareness and knowledge about this month's cause - Domestic Violence Awareness.

"The HOPE Annual Domestic Violence Vigil's purpose is purely to give a forum to women seeking help, to remember those that have become victims and survivors, a breed awareness in the community about domestic violence," said Georgia Ryan, legal advocate for HOPE.

The state-funded organization focuses on providing counseling, aid, shelter and education to anyone who falls victim to domestic violence. Posters papering the stone pillars in the pavilion listed facts and surveys about the 759 people they have given aid to in its seven-county district.

In addition, the fliers and piles of purple ribbons were reminders of the reality of domestic violence and hand decorated T-shirts lined the corner of the pavilion, waving in the breeze.

Words of hope and therapeutic messages adorned the pieces of cloth decorated by children's hands. "You will survive," writes a child known as Justin C. on his T-shirt. "I did, so you can." Bloody scissors are painted on the front.

Justin C. is a survivor, and so is Lisa Taylor.

"The people who are affected by domestic violence are everywhere," said Taylor, HOPE treasurer and Eastern professor of family and consumer sciences. Taylor said the vigil brings everyone literal hope.

"Hope that the community cares, hope that victims can escape and hope that awareness can be raised," she said. "Four women a day die because of domestic violence. People need to be aware."

The event also served as a political platform for HOPE as they discussed the need for people to look into voting records and see who has voted to uphold funding for domestic violence aid agencies and those who support the prosecution of abusers along with stricter punishments.

"The hardest part about my job is seeing the barriers women face, and there are so many of them," Hunt said.

Christine said she always felt no one would believe her because of stories she heard other women tell.

Bonnie Buckley, director of the Sexual Assault Counseling Information Services, said people are there to help.

She said SACIS and HOPE have built a solid foundation of support for each other working as sister agencies for common causes. SACIS and HOPE use survivors as volunteer counselors to aid those who call for help. Ryan was thrilled Eastern students showed up for the vigil. It was a testament to the growing awareness in the community, she added.

Megan Taake, 20, a junior elementary education major, said she was excited to learn more about something that seemed so far away from her.

"I came here with a roommate," she said. "It is something I have never experienced, and so I just wanted to know more."

Jim Walters, executive director of HOPE, said because of recent domestic homicides, the area has an urge to become more aware. Cases like Roberta Thompson, who was shot to death by her husband in Mattoon, and Elizabeth Knupp, who was stabbed to death by her boyfriend at work in Charleston, have put the spotlight on the issues and have people rallying the efforts of groups like HOPE and SACIS, Walters said.

Though the candles were not lit to close the night because of the rain, HOPE felt their message was represented.

"I'm a survivor of domestic abuse," Bartel, Hunt, Taylor and Christine said before speaking.

There words echoed through the silenced pavilion.

Krystal Moya can be reached at 581-7942 or at ksmoya@eiu.edu.

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