Kokomo — More than 600 people took to the streets Tuesday evening to raise awareness to a rising problem in Kokomo and throughout the country — domestic violence.
Composed of Indiana University Kokomo students and concerned citizens, the group first gathered at IUK’s Alumni Hall for a fundraising rally. It was all part of the sixth annual Take Back the Night Angel Walk.
“This is huge for the community,” said Judy Dennis of the Family Services Association, which partnered with IUK for the event.
FSA began Angel Walk in 2004 as a fundraiser for the domestic violence shelter. In 2006, IU Kokomo partnered with FSA and created Take Back the Night/Angel Walk, which raised more than $13,000.
This year, the event is expected to bring in about $18,000, said Barb Hall, director of the FSA domestic violence shelter.
“Our main goal is get out in the community to help identify the signs of domestic violence and help stop the cycle of violence,” she said.
“We had about 650 people last year and from looking around, I think we have more this year. We raised $17,000 for the shelter last year, and we already raised more than $18,000 before we stepped foot in here today,” Hall said. “It’s amazing. It shows you the community support for this.”
She reported later that evening that they raised more than $28,000.
Sandy Smith, whose son Carl is an IUK student, was also amazed by the turnout.
“I think this a great cause,” she said. “I’m glad to be able to support it. This is something that doesn’t get enough attention.”
“When they told us there’s not many domestic violence shelters around, I felt compelled to do what I could,” said Carl Smith, who is currently working toward his degree in human services.
Before participants set out on a 1-mile walk down Washington Street to Washington School then back to IUK, several people spoke about the importance of the shelter and community involvement.
Pam Isaac, who coordinates the nonprofit’s shelter, said the community’s support has helped the organization keep up with increased demand for services. But funding is still needed, she said.
“The shelter has helped 229 victims, and 144 people not in a residential setting,” she said. “Every dollar we raise helped supports those victims.”
Isaac also recognized the shelter’s staff.
“The shelter would not exist without those people,” she said.
One speaker, Danielle, told the group about her life of abuse. To protect her identity, the speaker only gave her first name.
She was first physically abused at the age of 9 by her father. She then tearfully told the stunned group that she was sexually abused by two men in her life: a man she thought of as a father figure and her husband.
After years of pain and anguish, she found it hard to cope and shut herself away from everyone.
Then one day, she started standing up for herself and fought back, she said.
“I took back my life,” she said. “Now, I’m here today to help you take back yours.”
Sue Sciame, vice chancellor at IUK, thanked the students and the community for the support and kicked off the walk by saying, “Now, let’s walk to raise awareness and let people know we can make a difference.”
• Mike Fletcher, Tribune crime reporter, may be reached at 765-454-8565 or via e-mail at mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com
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