Speaking out
Journalist, author and domestic violence survivor Janine Latus told her story at a YWCA event.
Silence and a few knowing groans were the only sounds echoing from a crowd as Janine Latus told her story at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum on Dec. 6.
Latus, a journalist, author and domestic violence survivor, described a series of abusive relationships that she endured and the abuse that ended her sister Amy’s life in 2002. Amy’s body was found buried at a construction site and a note taped inside her desk drawer at work pointed police toward the perpetrator. If she was missing or dead, police should arrest her boyfriend, the note said.
“It was dated 10 weeks before she died,” Latus said. “For 10 weeks she feared for her life and didn’t tell anyone.”
More than 900 people, mostly women, gathered at the museum for the Young Women's Christian Association’s (YWCA) 11th annual Women Who Care Share luncheon where Latus’ breaking the silence message coincided with Time Magazine’s release naming the #MeToo movement its person of the year.
Latus said she hopes her story, Amy’s story and the movement, which raised awareness about sexual harassment and assault, will encourage more women to speak up and ask for help.
“We have our moment right now to say no, to not put up with this anymore,” Latus said.
Equally as important as the message are the funds raised during the event, which support the city’s YWCA shelter and services, said Brandon Pasley, the nonprofit’s director of specialized training.
Pasley said the YWCA could not function without donations and annual fundraisers like this one.
“The appropriated funds that the Legislature puts out to 28 different programs across the state would cover 2 months of YWCA salaries. That’s it,” Pasley said. “So these fundraisers are critical to allowing us to do what we do, which is to save lives.”
More than $130,000 was raised during the event, according to an email from Chief Financial and Compliance Officer Gwen Lang.
Angela Weaver, of Del City, attended the event to show support for YWCA services.
“What they do is so important to our community,” Weaver said. “I try to support them whenever I have the opportunity.”
More than 200 attendees were asked to stand near the end of the fundraiser as a visual representation when speakers pointed to statistics that suggest about 1 in 4 women have been or will be abused by their partner.
“It’s a scary reality,” Latus said, “but it is a reality, and it’s one we need to take seriously.”