YWCA “Walk the Walk” Draws Attention to Town’s Most-Reported Violent Crime: Domestic Violence

To mark domestic violence and prevention month, the YWCA Greenwich’s Harmony Project marked Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month with a walk in Bruce Park.

YWCA Greenwich president and CEO Mary Lee Kiernan greeted participants. “You are doing more than talking the talk, you are walking the talk. You are backing up words with your action and showing the community and all the survivors of domestic violence that you support them and you stand against domestic violence,” Kiernan said.

“That continues to be the number one violent crime here in Greenwich and really a profound social and public health problem in the community.”

Kiernan addressed the national news story out of Cornell University the previous week.

“Sexual violence, just like domestic violence, thrives in silence – in community silence and institutional silence. Today when you’re walking, think about Jane Doe from Cornell, and Jane Does everywhere.”

Kiernan thanked Greenwich Police, especially Chief Jim Heavey and Sergeant Carino who were among many members of the police department who attended the event, along with first responders including GEMS and the Fire Dept, who had a presence along the route Sunday morning.

“They are our most important partners in the community. They work with us 24/7/365 around domestic violence and sexual violence,” Kiernan added.

Jacqueline Collazo, Director of the Harmony Project said one in two women and two in five men will experience some sort of intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

The Harmony Project provides direct services to victims of domestic and sexual violence, as well as prevention education.

Collazo said last year the Harmony Project served 602 victims of domestic and sexual violence, and responded to 3,078 calls to their 24/7 hotline – (203) 622-0003  – where a counselor will answer and help with crisis intervention, counseling and even emergency shelter and legal guidance as necessary.

“The numbers are going up, and that is all because of the awareness and support we’re getting from our community, and survivors coming forward and sharing their stories with us,” Collazo said, adding that the YWCA is proud to be the local provider meeting a critical need in town. Notably these resources are free and confidential.

After the group warmed up, volunteers handed out purple balloons that participants carried along the walking path, which was dotted with signs that shared statistics about domestic violence.

Upcoming YWCA Greenwich Events

Collazo said October 21, the Rising Conference (virtual and in person from 9:30 to 2:00pm) will put a spotlight on financial abuse, which she said occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases, making it one of the most powerful and common methods an abuser uses to main power and control.

Then, on the evening of Oct 28 the YWCA Greenwich will hold their annual candlelight vigil where purple ribbon award honoree, attorney Elizabeth Butler, works in the YWCA’s their civil/legal clinic, will be recognized  for her dedication and legal support to survivors of domestic violence.

That night the YWCA will also present the lavender ribbon award for student activism to Angela Lizcano Sanabria, co-president of YNET, a club at Greenwich High School with a peer-led program focused on preventing teen dating violence and promoting healthy relationships.

YNET meets on Tuesdays in Room 639 at GHS from 2:30 to 3:00pm. Contact GHS advisor Kathy–[email protected].

Collazo introduced Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey, who said the police department relies on the Harmony Project as a partner when they investigate domestic violence and support victims.

The last speaker was Fred Camillo who read a proclamation in which he noted that domestic violence is prevalent in every community and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion or nationality.

He said 19% of intimate partner violence involves a weapon and an abuser’s access to a firearm increases the risk of intimate partner homicide by 500%.

Other statistics Camillo shared were that one in three teens in the US in a serious dating relationship report that they have been physically abused by their partner and each year in Connecticut an average of 14 individuals have their lives taken by their intimate partner.

After the proclamation, Chief Heavey led the crowd carrying purple balloons along the two-mile walk.