Local Event to Highlight Domestic Abuse, & Journeys toward Healing

by Julie Buchanan

Victims of domestic and sexual abuse come from every part of our society. They can be black, white, Asian or Latino; wealthy or poor; gay or straight; female or male.

On October 4, a series of monologues at the Swift Creek Mill Theatre will illustrate this fact. The Heart of the Matter: A Journey toward Healing is based on the real experiences of a diverse set of victims from Central Virginia. Their stories were adapted for the stage by Patricia Jones-Turner, coordinator of the Chesterfield County Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center.

The production is presented by the center, the Chesterfield Domestic Violence Task Force and the YWCA of Richmond to raise awareness about the issues of domestic and sexual abuse. Victims who are portrayed come from various backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses. Some of the victims are men.

“It gives a well-rounded perspective on domestic and sexual violence and how widespread it is,” said Patricia Jones-Turner, who has spent decades working with victims. “And because the performances are going to be intense, I think the public will take it seriously.”

Cast members for the monologues, directed by Craig Suiter, were selected after a call for auditions.

“It’s something important that the community needs to know about,” said Nikki Walsh, 21, a student at Longwood University who portrays a young victim of Russian descent. “A lot of people don’t think it will ever happen to them.”

Theresa Jones, 33, is an understudy for one of the roles. A survivor of sexual violence herself, she can identify with what her character is going through.
“I think it’ll have a big impact on the audience,” she said.

Recent numbers shed light on the effects of domestic and sexual violence locally.
The Virginia Department of Health reported in July that nearly one-third of all the state’s homicides in 2005 were family or intimate partner related. Almost 14 percent of all homicide victims were killed by an intimate partner.

Chesterfield County police responded to 1,663 calls for domestic violence in 2006. That same year, the county served 267 victims of sexual assault, most of whom were children. Since 2000, 20 adults and 15 children in the county have lost their lives as a result of domestic violence.

With the monologues, organizers hope to put a human face on such grim statistics. Donations for area programs that help victims also will be collected during both performances.

“It’s not going to be a feel-good thing,” said Becky Lee, chief program officer for the YWCA of Richmond. “But it’s absolutely educational and it’s to help. Without putting on the real faces of the victims, it’s about giving a voice to their stories. And I really believe it’s giving people something to connect to. Some people may come to see it who are victims but never said anything to anyone. In some ways, it may give them a voice, too.”

The Heart of the Matter: A Journey Toward Healing will be presented on October 4 at 8pm. Tickets are $22 and include a buffet before the show. Swift Creek Mill Theatre is at 17401 Jefferson Davis Highway, Colonial Heights. Tickets can be purchased by calling 804-748-5203.

For more information, call Patricia Jones-Turner at 804-706-1272.