Every second, a woman is beaten in America.
This is just one of the sobering facts guest speaker Tanya Brown shared with the audience at the Battlefords Interval House's 30th anniversary celebration.
"Thank you for your heart, your soul, your spirit and your dedication to helping women," said Brown to the board and staff of the Battlefords Interval House.
Perhaps best known as Nicole Simpson's younger sister, Brown addressed the issue of domestic violence. She shared moving accounts of women affected by violence, including herself, and her thoughts on her sister's tumultuous relationship with O.J. Simpson.
Although the murder of her sister was a tragic event that took Brown over 10 years to recover from, she said she hopes her sister's death will bring awareness and, as a result, save lives.
"It's opening the doors for a conversation on domestic violence," said Brown. "I don't want the message to ever die."
The public speaker confessed she hadn't even known domestic violence existed growing up. As an adult, she said hopes to break the silence surrounding the issue.
"Do not stay quiet, please speak up," urged Brown, calling people who know something wrong is happening and don't do anything "silent killers."
"It's a dirty little secret that nobody wants to talk about," she said. "Talk about it."
Brown said many women are ashamed and afraid to admit they are in an abusive relationship, and encouraged anyone approached by battered women to be supportive and understanding.
"God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason," said Brown. "Listen, listen, listen - don't criticize; she gets enough of that at home."
Brown also insisted the male members of the audience are in a position to create change by not tolerating and speaking up against abusive friends.
"If you see it happening, say 'Hey, why are you treating her like that, that's not cool.' Let's bring gentlemen back," she said.
Brown also spoke of the importance of having resources for batterers. She said advocates for victims of domestic violence are often viewed as man haters and that's something she'd like to change. Brown recounted going to work at a crisis line and quitting after she heard a telephone operator turning down a request for help from an abuser.
"When I was 23, I lost my sister to an act that could have been prevented," she said, explaining that help for batterers should be just as available as help for alcoholics.
Brown outlined the many forms abuse can take, including financial, emotional and physical, and discussed the importance of available resources to women in those situations.
Since 1980, the Battlefords Interval House has been one such resource, providing a safe environment for victims of domestic violence.
The centre provides lodging and assistance to approximately 100 families per year and its 24-hour crisis line receives over 600 calls per year.
Services provided by the interval house include; referral and advocacy aid, assistance in finding housing and counselling.
Ann McArthur was hired six months after the Battlefords Interval House opened, and has been the executive director for the last five years.
"I've learned over 30 years that domestic violence hasn't changed," she said. "It's still just as prevalent today."
McArthur said the most rewarding aspect of her position is when former clients return to thank the staff for the help they've given.
The most difficult part, she said, is providing services to families with children and witnessing the difficulties the children must endure. Even more heartbreaking is when these children become victims of domestic violence as adults, caught in a cycle of violence.
"I'm pleased they remember to come to us for help, though," said McArthur.
Cheryl Cook-Taylor, chair of the BIH board, said, "Every day for 30 years we've been there for women who need us."
Cook-Taylor said she was overcome with gratitude to the many sponsors who stepped up for the event, saying, "I don't think anybody I asked said no."
Entertainment was provided by Brendan Legario, Jeff Arndt and Erin Foreman, and the master of ceremonies was Jay Crockett.
Former executive director Jean Beattie gave a blessing for the meal, saying, "Everyone deserves to live a life free of terror and it takes a whole community to do this.'
The anniversary dinner was held at the Western Development Museum Oct. 18, which is Person's Day. On Oct. 18, 1929, women were declared 'persons' by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which was then the highest court of appeal in Canada.
