The Brown County Press
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October), the Adams County Prosecutor’s office and the Brown County Prosecutor’s office organized a special event to honor and recognize victim of domestic violence.
The event was held in the community room of the Southern State Community College Mt. Orab campus on Oct. 22.
By definition, domestic violence is abuse that happens in a personal relationship. It can happen between past or current partners, spouses or boyfriends and girlfriends.
“Events like this are important to bring awareness to the problem of domestic violence,” Corbin said, “It is important, to be aware of this problem year-round, not just in October.”
He continued, “We need to continue sharing stories, telling the community what is happening in our lives. The truth is, domestic violence effects more people than we ever hear about, and until these stories are told, the stories that you’re going to hear here today, until these brave people come forward and tell their stories, others will be afraid to come forward.”
Corbin told the crowd that there is a stigma attached to domestic violence which is a major reason many people don’t step up and talk about it.
He stated that one in four women will be victims of domestic violence in some form, and one in 15 children will witness domestic violence.
“So far this year, in Adams and Brown County’s, there were over 150 cases of domestic violence filed in our court system,” Corbin added. “And those are just the case that have been filed. Many cases are never reported and we’ll never know about them. Domestic violence thrives when we’re silent.”
Corbin, then introduced Holly Johnson, who shared her life and experience with domestic violence.
Johnson, a 1983 graduate of Peebles High School, has worked at the Adams County Economic Development office serving 12 years as administrative assistant, and is now the director.
“I grew up in a large family where there was no violence,” Johnson said, “I always dated nice guys had a good life. Then I fell in love with a man I thought was a great guy.
“I’m not sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way I decided that unacceptable behavior was acceptable in my life.”
Johnson detailed how finding herself in a situation of a violent husband with two children is hard to break out of.
Her two sons at one point begged her not to send their father to jail. She said it wasn’t until her husband threatened to hurt one of her sons that she found the courage to get out of the relationship.
“I walked away with nothing but my two children,” Johnson said, “And thankfully, today, my two boys are good and loving husbands and fathers. The cycle has been broken.”
Corbin then introduced Debbie Culberson, mother of Carrie Culberson who was kidnapped and murdered by her boyfriend in 1996. Her remains have never been found.
“I would like to share with you all, the signs of domestic violence I personally saw between my daughter Carrie and her boyfriend Vince,” Culberson began. “I saw terrible scratches down each side of her face she received when Vince was choking her and held his hand over her mouth and nose. The scratches were made by her own hands trying to tear his hands off her. She told me she had a nightmare.”
Culberson said lots of other things happened including the boyfriend busting out all her car windows while she was in the car, pulling her out of her car another time and beating her causing a cracked rib and concussion.
“But through it all,” Culberson said, “I kept talking and talking and talking to her about getting away from him.”
Eventually, the boyfriend was found guilty of murder and received life in prison without chance of parole.
Culberson pleaded with the crowd to watch for those signs of domestic violence and seek help. She added that she has finally turned her pain over to God because she couldn’t bare it any longer. She still hopes that Carrie’s body will be found some day, but says she is at peace.
Anyone who is a victim of domestic violence or knows someone facing violence issues can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 for the nearest program. This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in English, Spanish and other languages.