The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Domestic violence awareness discussed
The Lake County Silent Witness Project at Lakeland Community College was a powerful and sobering reminder of the impact that domestic violence can have on local women.
Over 20 life-sized silhouettes that represented local woman who died at the hands of intimate partners were on display for the first time at the college’s Women’s Center on Sept. 27. Each figure contained a plaque that revealed that woman’s name and story.
The purpose of the memorial ceremony was to honor and remember those “silent witnesses”.
While this program was the first of its kind at Lakeland, Dorothy Lemmey started the Lake County initiative in 1995.
“In 1982 my life was dramatically changed by the discovery that my sister had been abused for many years and I never knew,” said Lemmey, who is an RN and retired nursing professor. “I never knew that this was a common occurrence in other homes, too. However, with my reading and understanding my eyes were opened and I was never the same again. This event changed my career.”
Inspired by a group of women in Minnesota who developed the Silent Witness movement, Lemmey took action.
“So in 1995, I approached East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church and our minister and I said ‘we can do this’ and they voted and it was unanimous that we would do this project,” she said.
The Silent Witnesses Project has been on display in front of the East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Kirtland once a year since 1995. The silhouettes are displayed throughout October to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“We had 10 in 1995,” she said. “So, that number has doubled in 20 years.”
While the stories are disheartening, Lemmey said she has received so much positive feedback over the years.
“A man said to me ‘I want you to know that my daughter heard you speak and she saw this display and she left a violent relationship and I want to thank you’,” she said while fighting back tears. “I would always remember that.”
Halcyon Domanski, the director of religious education at the East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, said she is also really passionate about this topic.
Domanski has worked directly with domestic violence victims, especially children.
“I’m hoping that we can reach even more people and continue to raise awareness,” she said.
The East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, Forbes House and Lakeland Community College Women’s Center partnered to develop the program and bring the Silent Witnesses into the community.
The Lake County Silent Witness Project has been on display at numerous community agencies and around the college.
Another goal of the program was to connect the community with local resources for ending the violence.
Forbes House provided information about their services and programs.
“One of the things I think is most important for people to know is that our resources are not just for people in the shelter, we have a lot of community resources as well,” Domestic Violence Specialist Noelle Silvaroli said.
Many people do not realize how many local people are impacted by domestic violence. In fact, Tanya Emerson said she was not aware of how prevalent domestic violence until she started her internship at the Forbes House.
“We are here to acknowledge that it happens here and it happens now,” said Lakeland Community College Women’s Center Director Gloria Lane. “This has been a great partnership. I’m thrilled that we were able to turn this into a program that the public can come, see and hear the stories and get an understanding of what is happening.”