Sussex County commissioners participate in Empty Chair Campaign to raise domestic violence awareness
NEWTON, N.J. (Sussex County) — The Sussex County Board of County Commissioners participated in the Empty Chair Campaign during its Oct. 14 meeting to honor victims who have lost their lives to domestic violence and raise awareness during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The campaign, organized by Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services (DASI), places empty chairs throughout the community each October to remember those killed by domestic violence and highlight its impact on individuals, families and communities.
During the meeting, Commissioner Director Jill Space drew attention to an empty chair displayed in the meeting room and discussed national statistics concerning domestic violence.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in three women and one in eight men in the United States have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner. Additionally, approximately one in five homicide victims nationwide are killed by an intimate partner, and more than half of female homicide victims are killed by a current or former intimate partner.
Following the meeting, Space emphasized the importance of remembering victims and continuing efforts to raise awareness and connect those experiencing domestic violence with available resources.
“The Empty Chair Campaign is an important reminder of those who have been greatly affected by domestic violence, and in the worst cases lost their lives to it. Behind every cited statistic is a person who has been affected by domestic violence. As we continue to make strides to bring awareness and provide help to domestic violence victims, let us never forget the many lives that have been lost, which this chair represents.”
Commissioner Deputy Director Jack DeGroot also expressed support for the campaign, saying the empty chairs serve as reminders of lives lost while encouraging conversations that could help others seek assistance.
“The Empty Chair Campaign is an important public awareness campaign that reminds us that we have lost too many lives to domestic violence. While this chair is to serve as a reminder for those we have lost, hopefully this chair, and the ones spread across Sussex County, will help foster important conversations about domestic violence and allow more victims to come forward and get the help they need.”
The annual campaign is intended to encourage public awareness of domestic violence and the importance of supporting victims and survivors.
Additional information about the Empty Chair Campaign and services offered by Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services is available at dasi.org.
