Embracing Hope to Stop Violence

A newly formed coalition is helping Muskingum County embrace hope.

The Domestic Violence Coaltion of Muskingum County held one of it’s first events this evening, "Domestic Violence: Embracing Hope" to raise awareness about different kinds of abuse between family and friends.

"We like things that we can measure, so things like black eyes and broken bones get a lot of attention, but some of the subtler forms like verbal abuse, psychological abuse, economic abuse can be very powerful in isolating victims in keeping them in these relationships," said Kat Marckworth of the Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence.

Tonight’s event featured a lecture by Marckworth on the different types of violence, how to spot it and what to do. She says undertanding the warning signs can be incredibly beneficial to helping someone or yourself out of an abusive relationship.

Tonight’s event was sponsored by the coalition which is made up of an array of organizations throughout the county.

"Each organization that we’ve discussed, the Prosecutor’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office, and healthcare all have needs that need to be met," said Muskingum County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Ron Welch. "We’re trying to get all of those needs on the same page, so we can provide better services in a more expedient manner than what we’ve been able to do in the past."

Tonight’s event ended with a candlelight vigil, remembering those who have experienced violence.

Welch says the coalition hopes to hold more events like this in the future. He says the ultimate goal of the coalition is to eventually establish a family advocacy center.