Domestic violence victims honored with lighted trees
North Carolina-based News 14 reports that 59 victims of domestic violence are being honored this Christmas in Durham. The city hall tree has been decorated with ornaments that carry the names of the victims.
-- Janice Carmack's name could have been on any one of the ornaments hanging on a Christmas tree in Durham's City Hall."I'm no different from any of those women. I'm just very, very fortunate and blessed," she said.
The ornaments represent 59 reported victims who lost their lives to domestic violence across the state this year. Carmack is a survivor.
"My husband has a mental disability and I excused his behavior because of that," said Carmack.
From Charlotte to Winston-Salem to Fayetteville, the City of Durham commemorated those who did not make it out alive with a memorial tree lighting ceremony.Each name was read as an ornament was hung. It was a time to remember and a time to deliver a message.
"Domestic violence is about abusers and about us as a community standing up to them and holding them accountable to their behavior and that is what's going to stop domestic violence," said Marie Brodie with the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
It's watching a dramatization and standing in front of the tree, Carmack has a message of her own, get out and get help.
"Please reach out before it's too late for you and especially if you have children," she said.
It's a survivor's story in honor of those gone and their families who won't have their loved ones this holiday season.
City of Durham employees, community members, and organizations helped create the 59 ornaments that are hanging on the tree. It's on display in city hall until after Christmas.
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