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A message of hope resounded in the Bornstein Amphitheater on Oct. 20 as BWHers came together to reflect on the impact of domestic violence and voice support for its victims.
“We’re gathered to honor survivors’ amazing resilience, those who we’ve lost and those who work to end it,” said Mardi Chadwick, JD, director of BWH’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs. “This is a place provided for you to feel safe and at home.”
Passageway, BWH’s domestic violence intervention program, arranges this annual service. Passageway advocates have been continuously dedicated to ending domestic violence by providing victims with confidential support, advocacy, education, training and community linkages for the past 14 years.
“Our Brigham family is here to support the victims of domestic violence and raise awareness of this alarming public health issue that deeply affects many individuals, families and communities,” said BWH President Betsy Nabel, MD. “In Massachusetts alone, 27 individuals have lost their lives this year because of domestic violence.”
Those who attended the event listened to words of strength and encouragement from Voices Rising, a women’s chorus established upon building community through song. Juan Jaime De Zengotita, MD, and Asaf Bitton, MD, MPH, shared reflections from patients who were affected by domestic violence.
Narratives and messages from domestic violence survivors reverberated through the walls of the Bornstein as dispersed BWHers stood and read selections from Brigham and Women’s and Faulkner Hospitals’ Clothesline Project and Shoe Project. Both projects enable domestic violence survivors, care providers and others to use art on shoes and T-shirts to illustrate the impact of domestic violence. Individual readings were also shared by Marin De Leon, MSW, Rosana Quezada, MSW, and Lara Sullivan, LICSW.
During the ceremony, a moment of silence was observed in honor of all those affected by domestic violence. The Burn, Trauma and Surgical Critical Care Division graciously assembled flower bulb gifts for attendees to plant in remembrance.
For more information about Passageway, call 617-732-8753.