Ft. Carson, TESSA raise awareness about domestic violence
Fort Carson and TESSA – a non-profit organization that helps victims of domestic violence and sexual – assault held a candlelight vigil Wednesday in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month.
Organizers put up cardboard figures on stage to represent victims of domestic violence. And they read names and stories of people who have suffered from domestic violence.
“(It’s a day) to remember those who have lost their lives because of domestic violence as well as a day to celebrate those who survived,” Ft. Carson Victim Advocate Lisa Jenkins said.
Doris Rivera-Black, a domestic violence survivor shared her story. She said at the time her ex-husband abused her, she was an El Paso County sheriff’s deputy.
“There are no demographics when it comes to domestic violence,” she said. “Because I had a uniform did not make me immune to being a victim of domestic violence.”
Rivera-Black said it was her daughter, who at the time was 10, that motivated her to put an end to the abuse. She said she initially didn’t realize her daughter knew what was happening.
“She shared with me that she heard us fighting every night, that she would sit outside our door getting ready to call 911,” she said. “She was scared that he was going to kill me.”
Rivera-Black said she didn’t want to send her kids the message that the abuse was okay. But once she and her ex-husband weren’t together, he kidnapped and sexually assaulted her. She said that night, she made a promise.
“I cried out to God, and I asked him to save me,” she said. “And I told him, ‘If you save me, I will spend the rest of my life till my very last breath, proclaiming your name and your goodness and speaking to as many people as I can to prevent others from going through what I went through.'”
TESSA outreach coordinator said one in four women will be impacted by some type of abuse in her relationship in her life.
“That is way too many,” Michelle Schaunaman said.
And at the Mountain Post, Jenkins said it’s prevalent.
“I’ve been here for a year and a half, and I have a full case load,” she said. “We see them every day.”
Rivera-Black said there is hope. The first step is to speak out.
If you are on post suffering from domestic violence, call the 24/7 help number (719) 243-7907. Anyone else who is suffering from domestic abuse or sexual assault can call TESSA’s crisis line at (719) 633-3819.
Advocates encourage others to also speak out if they see domestic violence. Purple is the color to show support for Domestic Violence Awareness month. Schaunaman encourages the public to change their Facebook profile picture to that of a purple ribbon.
