Sarah Brice, left, and her daughter Hailey, 11, look at one of the “Silent Witness” figures before a candlelight vigil to honor domestic violence victims. The figures represent women who have been killed by intimate partner domestic violence. Brice was the keynote speaker at the event.

Sarah Brice, left, and her daughter Hailey, 11, look at one of the “Silent Witness” figures before a candlelight vigil to honor domestic violence victims. The figures represent women who have been killed by intimate partner domestic violence. Brice was the keynote speaker at the event.
A small gathering of people, most wearing purple, huddled around the courthouse steps in Batavia Oct. 6 for a candlelight vigil. Among them were life-size figures that did not move or speak the entire ceremony.

The figures were cardboard, but each had a name and a story as they represented the silent voices of women killed by intimate partner domestic violence – the reason for the ceremony.

“Tonight we are going to have a moment of remembrance, not a moment of silence,” Stephanie Shoe, the Children’s Program Coordinator for the House of Peace, said at the ceremony. “Because we’re not going to be silent anymore.”

The House of Peace, a shelter program offered by the Young Women’s Christian Association of Greater Cincinnati, hosted the event that was meant to educate people about domestic violence and remember victims during domestic violence awareness month.

“I think it is important for family to have a vigil every year to never forget and help with awareness,” Shoe said.

The vigil featured several speakers, a candle lighting ceremony and several displays to help inform those who attended the event. Sarah Brice, a domestic violence survivor, also shared her story at the ceremony.

Brice said she knew the warning signs of abuse and never thought she would be in a relationship where she was being abused. But after falling head-over-heels for her ex-boyfriend, and letting him control her, she found herself a victim of intimate partner abuse.

At first, Brice said it was excessive drinking and attitude changes. Then her partner began calling her names, arguing with her more frequently and acting controlling.

“Words turned into pushing me and threats,” Brice said. “On numerous occasions I slept in my car.”

She forgave her ex time and time again and convinced herself that she wasn’t being abused because he wasn’t physically abusing her. However, like many abusive relationships that quickly changed.

“In August 2010 it became physical,” Brice said. “I was punched and bruised.”

The incident landed she and her ex-boyfriend in court and Brice, who received a pamphlet about House of Piece and put it aside, forgave her ex and went back to him and even more abuse.

“Eventually, I found myself pulling out that green pamphlet and looking at it,” she said.

Not long after, Brice packed her things and sought shelter at the House of Peace.

“That started a new chapter in my life,” Brice said. “I was surprised to realize not only had I been abused twice, but I had been abused every day for a year.”

Brice escaped a relationship that could have ended in additional abuse, or worse. She said she hopes her story will help educate others that abuse can come in many forms, and ignoring the signs and forgiving an abusive partner can be devastating.

She is one of the victims who has a voice. Others, like the cardboard women brought to the vigil by Lorraine Whoberry, don’t.

Whoberry’s daughter Stacie, is one of those women, and her “silent” story is one of many that can be read from plaques on the cardboard figures. The plaques also contain the date of birth and death of each of the women.

“They are making a huge impact,” Whoberry said about the figures she helped create. “It brings reality to life. These women died from the hands of their intimate partners.”

And it is both the silent stories as well as the inspiring stories of survival that Whoberry, the YWCA and the House of Peace want to share with women during domestic violence awareness month.

“We’re trying to make a point of awareness,” Whoberry said. “It’s a big issue and it needs to be addressed. I refuse to let Stacie’s voice be silent.”