The news of Amara, Sophie, and Cecilia’s murders has impacted everyone who hears their story. Whether people are seeing it on the news or reading about it in the paper, the fact is some people following the news coverage are individuals and families currently living with domestic violence.
I have been working at Turningpoint for over 6 years and this is without question the most horrific case I have worked with. I am finding it nearly impossible to not take this one home with me. The only thing I can salvage from this heartbreak is the small bit of comfort I take from the reality that this tragedy is motivating people to reach out to Turningpoint for help. I don’t know if these people are being motivated out of a new sense of strength or fear, but I have been seeing an increase in calls and emails since the news coverage began last week.
This type of tragedy provides strength for some who are experiencing domestic violence – the strength to pick up the phone, courage to get to a support group, strength to finally tell someone what is happening. For other victims, fear is driving them to reach out for help. Perhaps their abuser has threatened to kill them or their children, perhaps there are more subtle threats that leave the victims unsure of what their abuser is capable of, or maybe no threats have been made but the abuse is escalating.
As far as I am concerned, the emotion igniting the drive to get help doesn’t matter, whether it is strength or fear, the important thing is people are asking for help.
The pain of grief is fuel that can give us the strength to move mountains. www.grieftoolbox.com
Alena Taylor, Domestic Violence Services Coordinator
715-425-6751 x102
alenat@turningpoint-wi.org
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