Times Chronicle & Public Spirit
Montco officials recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Ceremony included Laurel House's "An Empty Place at the Table" memorial exhibit to honor those whose lives were lost to domestic violence
Victims’ advocates, law enforcers and court officials, those on the front lines of the battle against domestic violence, gathered recently to support survivors and to honor those who have shared their expertise to help victims.
“We’re shining a light of awareness on domestic violence to empower victims of domestic violence and to work together as a community to eliminate domestic violence in Montgomery County and beyond,” Michael R. Kehs, chairman of the Domestic Violence Legal Network of Montgomery County, addressed a crowd of about 100 who attended the organization’s annual ceremony recognizing October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“Education and awareness, that’s essentially what DVLN is about,” Kehs added.
The ceremony at the county courthouse marked the first time since 2019 that the organization held an in-person event. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the event was not held in 2020 and it was held virtually in 2021.
The DVLN was formed in 1986 by professionals from law enforcement, the judiciary and victims’ services agencies for the purpose of sharing resources and expertise to serve domestic violence victims more effectively.
“DVLN’s mission is to ensure that vital services are available to domestic violence victims in Montgomery County. The network consists of several county stakeholders including, but not limited to, law enforcement, agencies providing therapy, housing and support for victims and court personnel who work every day to process hundreds of protection from abuse matters,” Judge Kelly C. Wall addressed the crowd.
Kehs and others urged attendees to stand firm in condemning domestic violence and to support victims and law enforcers.
County Commissioner Joseph C. Gale read a proclamation declaring October as the month to raise awareness of the issue in the county.
“We all play a key role together in combatting domestic violence here in Montgomery County. It truly is a team effort. Obviously, our legal system plays a key component in that role but all the various departments within county government also play a key role,” said Gale, noting that the Office of Prothonotary handles protection from abuse orders and sheriff’s deputies provide protection and security during domestic-related hearings in court. “We all play a role in it…to help those victims in need during a very challenging time in their life.”
Each year, the DVLN recognizes a person or organization that shows a strong commitment and dedication to the fight against domestic violence and this year, officials presented Kehs, the organization’s chairman who is also the county’s district court administrator, with its socalled Unsung Hero Award.
“He does stand for honesty, integrity and professionalism,” said Jan Biresch, who has worked side-by-side with Kehs for several years including as DVLN vice-chairwoman.
Biresch read several testimonials from those who have worked with Kehs and who described him as a “true champion for others” and as “a kind, professional and respectful person who shares his intelligence, compassion, empathy and talents with others” and who has “worked tirelessly against domestic violence” for more than 30 years.
“He walks with peace in his pocket on a daily basis even when situations are chaotic around him,” Biresch quoted one testimonial.
Kehs, who was greeted by thunderous applause from spectators, was humbled by the honor and accepted it on behalf of everyone who works with him at DVLN and court administration.
“My staff are the ones literally in the trenches. They are my unsung heroes,” said Kehs, mentioning co-workers who assist those seeking protective services. “I will commit myself to continuing this fight and our efforts because so much more does need to be done.”
The ceremony included a compelling and emotional display entitled “An Empty Place at the Table,” sponsored and arranged by Laurel House, a shelter for abused and threatened women that provides a range of services for domestic violence victims. The display of place settings, submitted by friends and families of victims of domestic violence, included personal touches in remembrance of victims who lost their lives to domestic violence.
“As the name suggests, the exhibit is comprised of a table set as if for a dinner gathering. It consists of several victims’ place settings that include reflections on their interests, personalities, hopes and in some cases their own personal items,” Stacy Dougherty, deputy director of Laurel House, explained.
“Sadly, each place setting is vacant, representing the emptiness and loss that domestic abuse leaves in our families and our communities. Our hope in sharing the ‘Empty Place at the Table’ display with those in our community is that through these tragedies we’ll be able to honor the lives lost, raise awareness about domestic violence in our area and change the systems that perpetuate it,” Dougherty added.
The display included a half dozen place settings, including remembrances of Morgan Darlyn McCaffery, the 18-year-old woman who was fatally stabbed by her ex-boyfriend during a brutal attack at the Meadwobrook Train Station in Abington on July 27, 2020, and Ellen Robb, the Upper Merion woman who was fatally beaten by her husband during an argument in their Forest Road home on Dec. 22, 2006.
Officials also recognized the winners of a poetry contest, sponsored by The Women’s Center of Montgomery County, during
which teenagers expressed their personal experiences and views about domestic violence.
Some audience members wiped tears from their eyes as one young woman read her emotional piece, recalling at one point, “I can still remember his fingers laced in my brown hair pushing my head towards his, my hair slowly ripped from its roots as his grasp tightened…fingers actually attached to a real life boy who was actually my best friend since age 11, who I actually trusted with my life…the skin on my body is wrapped in barbed wire, and if I try to move, the grasp tightens, my skin bleeds and the bruises will always remain…I remember feeling helpless.”
Kehs called the young woman’s words “powerful” and added, “This is why our work is so important.”
During the ceremony, the Norristown Police Department presented a check from the DVLN, with the help of Laurel House and the Women’s Center of Montgomery County, to
the Thomas Barone Scholarship Fund, a fund set up in honor of Barone, a Norristown police officer who was killed in the line of duty Oct. 11, 1992, while investigating a domestic violence complaint. This month marks the 30th anniversary of Barone’s death.
The county courthouse also was illuminated in purple during October in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Officials said help is available for county residents who may be living in a violent situation.
Laurel House, the nonprofit organization that provides crisis intervention, a safe haven, supportive programs and resources for victims of domestic abuse, provides a confidential, 24hour hotline at 1-800-6423150.
The Women’s Center of Montgomery County, a nonprofit, volunteer organization focused on eliminating domestic violence, provides support to victims and provides a 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-7732424.