DETROIT – The holidays and the transition from New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day are often seen as a time for celebration. However, for many, this period is one of the most dangerous times of the year due to a spike in domestic violence and sexual assaults.
Faith Brown is a survivor in every sense of the word. Her story is one of unimaginable tragedy and extraordinary resilience.
“The cut on the left side of my face was so bad to the point they said if he went a little further, I could’ve bled out,” Faith recounts.
Her journey of survival began in August of 2016. Faith’s four children were killed — two of them in front of her, by her ex-husband, Gregory Green. Green is now serving a life sentence. The trauma left Faith with haunting images of her children’s bodies, replaying in her mind like broken movie reels.
Faith initially turned to unhealthy coping mechanisms to dull the pain, but she reached a pivotal moment:
“I had to make a decision to live again, she said. “When I tell people that I’m not talking about suicide — I’m talking about mentally, physically, spiritually — because I was dying.”
Faith’s path to healing led her to First Step, an organization dedicated to ending domestic and sexual violence. She not only found support but became a volunteer, using her voice to spread awareness, and experts say this holiday season, particularly New Year’s Eve to New Year’s Day, is a critical time to address these issues.
Experts have identified factors that contribute to the increase in violence during this period like disruptions in family routines, spending more time with family, financial stress, and increased alcohol and drug use. However, these are not the root causes of domestic violence.
“Those are not the causes of domestic violence; those help enable domestic violence and sexual assault,” said Lori Kitchen-Bushel, Executive Director of First Step.
Domestic violence takes many forms beyond physical abuse including financial control, isolation, location tracking, and manipulation (using children or religion are all tactics used to maintain power and control).
“Domestic violence then can turn violent,” said Kitchen-Bushel. “It can start violent. Violence can come into play at any point. But you don’t have to experience physical violence to be in a power and control domestic abuse relationship.”
If you or someone you know needs help, First Step offers a 24-hour helpline at 734-722-6800. To learn more about their mission or to donate to support their work, visit firststep-mi.org. First Step is in the process of trying to open another shelter and your donations will go toward that goal.
