Oftentimes, the worst part about abuse is the isolation.
Silent Cry is making it their mission that no victim of abuse feels isolated.
Silent Cry, an organization in Winchester to support women and children affected by domestic violence, hosted a rally at College Park on June 6. It was able to put this event together in just eight weeks, and it was met with tremendous support by vendors and community members alike.
Events like this one are not the end of Silent Cry’s outreach. Brenda Marstella, director of Silent Cry, is planning to create a house to serve as a shelter for victims of domestic abuse.
“We are going to get a big house to host women and kids,” said Marstella. “We’re going to bring them in for 60- 90-day programming.”
“This is the cruelest part of domestic violence. It isolates you. It convinces you that you are trapped and alone.”
Alex Chandler
With these programs, Marstella is hoping that Silent Cry can build a community in Winchester for these individuals who have been abused.
“Greenhouse 17 is the closest house to us,” Marstella said. “They’ve got 15 houses across Kentucky, and they’re so busy it’s hard to get people in there.”
Silent Cry’s efforts to create a house will help these women and children get out of harm’s way and away from their abusers. Marstella hopes this house will not just be a place for these 60–90-day programs but also a temporary getaway.
“Once we get the home open, we are going to have a safe room,” Marstella said. “A lot of women can’t come and stay in the home, but they’re gonna have a place to come.”
Marstella is not the only person passionate about finding community for these victims, however. In fact, many speakers at Silent Cry’s rally touched on the importance of togetherness in situations like these.
“This is the cruelest part of domestic violence,” said Alex Chandler during her speech. “It isolates you. It convinces you that you are trapped and alone.”
Through her speech, Alex shares her story of abuse that affected her kids, her job, her social life, and her own physical safety. Eventually, Alex was able to get help and get away from her abuser.
“For the first time, other people saw the truth about the man I had been living with,” she said. “Friends, family, and members of the community helped me find a safe place to live.”
Alex continues to say that even though she escaped her abuser, she still had to fight for her safety and that of her children.
“There is life after abuse, there is safety after fear, and there are people who will believe you,” said Alex.
Alex is an example of someone who was able to escape her abuser. However, not everyone is able to do the same.
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This past October, our community lost a 35-year-old woman to domestic violence. Ava Brantley was tragically killed by her husband after years of violence.
“Ava did ask for help,” said Michelle Hayes, Ava’s mother. “She asked for protection for her kids and protection for herself.”
Michelle spoke at Silent Cry’s rally, urging people to do what they could to help out those affected by domestic violence.
“Ava’s voice may have been stolen, but we can use ours to help others,” said Michelle.
Silent Cry is working on fundraisers to support their goal of building a house for those affected by domestic violence. This rally was just the start, one isolated event that will lead to a long line of success in protecting women and children from domestic violence.
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