Survivor urges awareness as Turning Point lists local resources for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Turning Point representatives urged residents to recognize domestic violence dynamics and use local resources during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

K.B. Gaser (transcript spelling) introduced the organization’s outreach and asked commissioners and attendees to wear purple ribbons in October; Turning Point provided a list of local events, including a screening and community concert at the Emerald Theatre. The organization gave the commission a crisis-line phone number and printed materials (including a “power and control” wheel) to help residents and officials identify coercive relationship behaviors.

Stephanie Harris, who identified herself as a Turning Point speakers-bureau representative and survivor, described her seven-year abusive relationship and credited Turning Point counseling with helping her leave and heal. Harris cited prevalence statistics she gave to the commission: “one in three women and one in four men report experiencing domestic violence in their intimate partner relationships,” and she warned that power-and-control tactics can be gradual and non-physical. She also cited a state-level statistic saying that “every five days a survivor… is killed by their intimate partner in the state of Michigan.”

Turning Point distributed crisis and support information and encouraged anyone who needs help to call the local crisis line provided during the presentation.

The meeting did not produce any formal city policy changes or votes tied to the presentation; Turning Point’s appearance was informational and aimed at increasing public awareness and connecting residents to services.