Harbor Inc. hosted a domestic violence rally on Wednesday, July 8th at the Clayton Town Square. The event was called “Rally Against Domestic Violence: Coming Out of The Dark.”
The purpose of the event was to increase awareness about domestic violence. On hand were law enforcement officers, elected officials from the Town of Clayton and the District Attorney’s office. Also representatives from the Johnston County Mental Health, Department of Social Services, Health Department, and Partnership for Children were on hand. Officials from HALT, a batterers treatment program, were also at the event.
Several churches were in attendance to show their support, as well as community and family members. Two of the speakers were victims of domestic violence who told their story, bringing some in the crowd to tears.
Dr. Terrence Leathers of Mt. Vernon Christian Church was the moderator.
Harbor, Inc. is Johnston County’s only agency providing help, hope and safety to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
In 2014, there were a total of 1,274 cases of domestic violence reported in Johnston County. Broken down by towns those case numbers are: Clayton: 230, Smithfield: 192, Selma: 142, Benson: 85, Four Oaks: 75, Kenly: 38. Other towns together Princeton, Angier, Micro, Willow Springs, Zebulon: 334, unknown : 178.
If taking under consideration the number of children and immediate family served as a result of domestic violence, Harbor, Inc. served approximately 3,000 women and children in 2014.
For more information on Harbor’s programs, or to see a current wish list of Harbor’s needs, visit www.HarborShelter.org.
