Community rallies in support of abuse survivors

Participants in the Victims of Crimes Witness Awareness event in front of Graham County Courthouse Thursday release balloons incribed with the names of crime and abuse survivors. - David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

SAFFORD — “They thought they made me a victim; they made me a survivor.”

Those were the words of a woman who escaped an abusive relationship and is now rebuilding her life.

The woman, who requested anonymity, made her statements during the second annual National Victims of Crimes Witness Awareness Week event Thursday at the Graham County Courthouse.

“I will not let my perpetrator keep me as a victim,” the woman said. “In a world where you can be anything, be kind, be caring, be loving.”

The event was put on by the Graham County Attorney’s Office, Mt. Graham Safe House and the Graham County Victim Witness Department.

“We want to bring awareness to everybody and get them to come out here. And get comfortable with talking to us and, hopefully in turn, we can help them,” said Graham County Victim Advocate Director Elvira Talavera.

She stressed that there is money to help victims escape their abuse, in the form of the State Victim Compensation Fund, that her office can help abuse survivors access.

Another speaker was Tianna Chadwick, who said she had been sexually abused by a family member as a child, and the abuse only stopped when, at 15, she called the police. Chadwick, 18, is the newest member of the Graham County Victim Witness Department.

Lisa Lara, left, talks about overcoming years of sexual abuse as a teenager to now helping abuse survivors at Mt. Graham Safe House. At right is Graham County Victim Advocate Director Elvira Talavera. – David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

Also speaking was Lisa Lara, who said she suffered abuse at the hands of a significant other between the ages of 15 and 18, and that abuse led to her abusing substances. Now sober and free of the abusive relationship, she works as the facilities manager for Mt. Graham Safe House and helps other domestic violence survivors.

“Everyone who came and spoke today is an inspiration. Thank you,” said Graham County Attorney L. Scott Bennett.

After the speakers, attendees participated in a balloon release, with the balloons inscribed with the names of abuse survivors.

Also Mt. Graham Safe House distributed “What’s in your glass” cards, which allow patrons at bars to test their drink to see if their drink has been spiked with either GHB or ketamine.

Safe House’s Mallory Redmond said all Graham County drinking establishments have agreed to carry the cards, and distribute them to patrons or bartenders can use to test a drink if a patron exhibits behavior inconsistent with normal imbibing.

The cards can also be obtained at the County Attorney’s Office or by calling Safe House at 1-88-269-9104.

Editor’s note: Abuse survivors identified in this story gave Gila Valley Central permission for their names to be used.

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