National Hook-Up of Black of Women host annual Domestic Violence Awareness Luncheon

The National Hook-Up of Black of Women, Inc. Gadsden Chapter hosted its annual domestic violence awareness luncheon and walk last Thursday.
The luncheon was held at the Campbell-Kelly Center in Quincy.
This year’s guest speaker was educator, author and consultant Brenda “BJ” Jarmon.
Jarmon, who is originally from Selbyville, Delaware, met her former abuser when she was 14.
He was 20.
She had two children with him before she turned 16.
At 15, while pregnant with her second child, Jarmon moved in with her children’s father.
They moved 10-15 miles away from her family. She said he isolated her from her loved ones and began mentally and physically abusing her.
“I was too afraid to tell my father, brothers, and uncles,” Jarmon shared.
Jarmon said one day while they were arguing, he pushed her down the steps of the mobile home they were living in and wouldn’t let her back in the house.
She said that saved her life.
Pregnant, she picked up her son and walked a mile to a pay phone to call her parents.
Her father told her she could come back home but she had to get a job.
Harmon got a job at a chicken plant in the eviscerating room.
Three years later, once she was tired of gutting chickens, she went to Job Corp.
From there she went on to obtain three degrees, including a doctorate.
She’s now sharing her story to help others.
Emily Mitcham, Director of Refuge House, said domestic violence is not a private matter.
“It’s all of our business,” Mitcham said.
Mitcham also said leaving can be the most dangerous time for survivors.
“I hope we get away from asking folks why didn’t they leave,” Mitcham said. “Sometimes they can’t.
She also said it’s important to believe survivors, and advocate for policies that protect them.
Literature on domestic violence and resources were provided during the event.
Organizers said each year the majority of the attendees are women. They hope to see more male survivors in the audience next year.