JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Hundreds of people participated in the Hubbard House's 13th annual 'Stand Up and Stride' Domestic Violence Awareness Walk.
Participants raised awareness about domestic violence and celebrated the lives that have been impacted during the Hubbard House's 45-year history.
“I am a survivor, I am a warrior, I’m victorious. So I wanna be here to stand and let them know, I know how to get out, you can too," Michelle Babbs, a domestic violence survivor, said.
“It makes me proud to know whose really here to support you, you don’t know whose really in your corner until you see everybody," Babbs said.
The importance of building a support group and letting survivors know they are not alone is just one of the many goals of this event.
Hosted by the Hubbard House, the money will go to providing services to domestic violence survivors and their families, explains CEO Dr. Gail Patin.
“This is an opportunity for us to let people know about domestic violence, in a fun way. To come out and not just talk about something that’s sometimes hard to talk about, but to celebrate survivors to celebrate the victories they made, to celebrate what Jacksonville does to make that possible," Dr. Gail Patin, the CEO of Hubbard House, said.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, in 2019 there were over 8,000 Reported Domestic Violence Offenses in Duval County, a 13% increase from the year before. Survivors and advocates attending Saturday's event brought awareness to the high numbers and shared their stories so others know they are not alone.
Some groups here like ‘men against violence against women’ are pointing to those high numbers and calling on the community to support.
“Unfortunately, the majority of domestic violence in this country is perpetrated by men against women. That’s why it’s so important that we be out here, helping and supporting and Hubbard house and survivors and being part of the solution rather than part of the problem," Brandon Sherlinski, the co-leader of 'Men Against Violence Against Women', said.
The event collected over $90,000 in fundraising, the money will be used for providing services to domestic violence survivors and their families. The Hubbard House provides shelter and services such as relocation and counseling among others to survivors.
Anyone in need of help, counseling, or other domestic violence services can visit the 'Hubbard House' website here or call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).