(Article originally published in the Chronical-Telegram 10/4/2020)
Lorain County’s domestic violence shelter Genesis House is staging a campaign and events to bring awareness and education about domestic violence prevention during October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Purple ribbons will be on display throughout October at various locations such as along Broadway Avenue in Lorain, on trees, lamp posts, flower posts and signs.
Genesis House also is having its Empty Seat at the Table campaign, which serves to remind people of the vacancies in the community that are left when a life is cut short by domestic violence. These displays also serve to remind others that domestic violence isn’t a private matter, but a public health epidemic.
Empty Seat at the Table displays can be found at locations around Lorain County that include the Nord Center, Lorain Metro Housing Authority sites, Family Planning Services, MHARS Board, Elyria Police Department, LCADA Way and many others.
Each one of the frames tells the story of a Lorain County community member who died at the hands of someone who was supposed to love them. They also spread awareness of red flags of dangerous relationships and highlight many ways the deaths could have been avoided.
Genesis House also has a Silent Witness exhibit on display at the Lorain Arts Council, 737 Broadway Ave., Lorain, and another will be on display Oct. 26-30 at Marion L. Steele High School, 450 Washington St., Amherst.
The Silent Witness exhibits are life-sized, red wooden figures named after a woman who once lived and had a life.
If interested in displaying an exhibit, contact the Genesis House at (440) 244-1853 or at www.genesishouseshelter.org or Meg McIntyre, manager of community education, at (440) 233-4114 or megmcintyre@yahoo.com.
