SARASOTA, Fla. — April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and along with those dealing with domestic violence or even sex and human trafficking, there's still a pervasive culture of silence that prevents many from speaking up and getting help.
This weekend the local chapter of the historically Black Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., in partnership with area advocacy groups, is helping some victims find their voice through an event tagged "Your Voice Has Power".
The event which is focused on raising awareness about domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking awareness is hosted by the Lamba Omicron Omega Chapter. That chapter covers Sarasota and Manatee Counties and the event is part of a community social responsibility and upliftment initiative pursued across the country by the national organization.
One survivor who spoke to 10 Tampa Bay said she used to live in Gainesville and had to move across the state to get away from her abuser.
"January 26 of 2016, I will never forget it as long as I live, never forget it," Yolanda Dawes said.
Dawes who was born and raised in Manatee County said that date is etched in her memory because it was the day she became a domestic violence survivor.
Dawes said her then-boyfriend in a sudden fit of jealous rage turned her into a punching bag.
"I was awakened at 2:30 in the morning and he was asking me questions about who a person was on social media and why I had contact with them, and when I proceeded to answer, he then became physically aggressive and began to assault me," Dawes said.
"He was punching me on the top of my head, breaking my fingers, blackening my eye, pulling my hair and it was just a lot. He even stated to me that if he had a gun, he would blow my brains out," she said.
Fearing for her life she seized the moment and found an opportunity to escape from her attacker.
"I fought back enough until he left and then I kind of like barricaded myself in my bathroom until I felt like it was safe to come out," Dawes said.
The ordeal left her shaken at how dangerously close she came to losing her life in the hands of someone she believed should instead have been protecting her. She sought help by calling her mother, who helped her set off a chain of resources to assist her move back home to safety in Manatee County.
Now in a better place, healed, away from danger and in a healthy relationship, Dawes is speaking at this year's event.
"My hope is that I am able to reach people, young women, older women, women in general, and even men. To let them know that it's not okay for you to be abused mentally, physically, or emotionally abused by anyone," she said.
At last year's inaugural edition of the program, several survivors told their stories, advocates provided resources and the women in attendance learned helpful self-defense techniques in case they had to fight off an attacker.
"You don't have to be quiet about what's going on. A lot of times there is shame. We don't want to talk about it. They're afraid to talk about it," Theresa Scott said.
Scott, a nurse by profession, is the president of the Lambda Omicron Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
"That individual many times is not able to tell what's happening. They end up in the hospital, you know, with injuries, and when we ask about how this injury happened, they have stories to tell, they don't want to say well you know I was hurt by my significant other," Scott explained.
According to Sarasota police, there were 425 simple or aggravated assault and battery cases related to domestic violence.
The number is down by 16 to 119 for the period that ranges from January to April 2024 compared to 135 for the same time frame in 2023. However, community leaders say the numbers still represent a large number of victims and it's quite disturbing.
"That is why we are trying to get this information out to the community. It's nothing that you've done but we want to make sure that you get to the right people so you can get the help that you need," Scott said.
"Seek help if you need help to get out. Call anyone, call the police, call whoever you need to call but always inform someone and let someone know that there is a situation that's going on and that you need help," Dawes said.
"Love doesn't hurt and love shouldn't hurt and if your spouse or your partner has to put their hands on you to show love, that's not love," she added.
The free event for women is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Booker Middle School in Sarasota.
If you or someone you know, regardless of gender, is facing sexual abuse or domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or the Florida Hotline at 1-800-500-1119.
You can also contact the Safe Place And Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) in Sarasota, which is also a key partner of the event, by calling or texting their 24-hour helpline at 941-365-1976.