Domestic violence fundraiser

A Domestic Violence Fundraiser dinner will be held Sept. 26 to kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

The “Secret is Out” Domestic Violence Fundraiser and Unity Celebration is being put on by Marion County Children's Alliance Family Violence Prevention Workgroup. It will take place at Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Road, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will feature dinner, survivor testimonies, entertainment and vendors.

The event costs $20, which will benefit victims of family violence, including child abuse, dating violence, domestic violence and elder abuse, according to the violence prevention group’s website.

The organization works with the Marion County Sheriff's Department, the Ocala Police Department and judicial and juvenile justice departments to promote awareness and non-violent relationships in the community.

The group also does many collaborative projects with the city's domestic violence shelter, raising money for the shelter’s clients or donating things the shelter needs and can't provide, such as diapers, bus tickets or clothing.

Along with the Unity Celebration during domestic violence month, there will be the 10th Annual “The Secret is Out” Domestic Violence Conference Oct. 8 and From Violence to Recovery: The Path of Domestic Violence Panel Discussion Oct 28.

The conference will have speakers, workshops and free continental breakfast. The panel discussion will feature a dialogue with local experts followed by a question and answer session. Both events will be at the College of Central Florida and are free.

Monica Bryant, family violence prevention coordinator for the workgroup for four years, said she stumbled into her current job, but now she really can't see herself doing anything else.

“This is what I’m supposed to be doing,” Bryant said.

She said it's important to her that young women have healthy relationships and know unhealthy relationships can sometimes end violently. When living in a house with violence, some people don't see anything wrong with their relationship because it is no different from the house they grew up in, Bryant said.

There are about 3,000 family violence cases in Ocala a year, and last year six of the people died, Bryant said.

According to the prevention workgroup’s website, the group’s goal is to organize community programs and activities that reduce family violence and to increase involvement and awareness.

The prevention group puts on events year-round. During National Teen Dating Violence Prevention Week in February, it visits middle schools and high schools to educate students and provide resources about dating violence. Toy drives are put on by the organization every year, and public meetings are held once a month.

The group also holds an annual expo called Hands Are Not For Hurting in the Paddock Mall to “create community awareness about child abuse or neglect in our community,” according to the group’s website. It kicks off Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and features live entertainment, arts and crafts and giveaways.

The violence prevention group’s October events are sponsored by Paddock Mall, the College of Central Florida and the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

The organization meets the second Monday of every month at 11 a.m. at the Marion County Sheriff's Office. The meeting is open to the public.

Unity Day Celebration tickets are available at the Marion County Children's Alliance, Greiner's, Your Heart's Desire Gifts, Gause and Son Jewelers, Gold Pros and 2nd Chance Consignment Shoppe.

Donations are also accepted. Drop off or mail to 3482 NW 10th St., Ocala, FL 34475. Visit http://www.breakthesilenceonviolence.org, e-mail info@breakthesilenceonviolence.com or call 352-438-5993 for more information.