Hubbard House held its 16th Annual Barbara Ann Campbell Memorial Breakfast today, Thurs., Oct. 7, 2010, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel. Around 500 community members attended to raise awareness about domestic violence, remember victims who have lost their lives, honor survivors, and send the message that ending domestic violence is a priority.
Domestic violence continues to be a pervasive issue that affects our community. Duval County has experienced historic lows in crime rate with the lone exception of domestic violence. In 2009, domestic violence police reports increased by 9 percent and the number of victims helped by Hubbard House increased by 13 percent.
“With the increase in domestic violence that our city is experiencing, now more than ever, is a time when we need the help of the entire community in order to end this crime,” said Ellen Siler, Hubbard House Chief Executive Officer. “Domestic violence is an issue that can affect anyone; it does not discriminate against economic level, gender, ethnicity, or age.”
The breakfast also featured the “Empty Place at the Table” exhibit, which is an exhibit displaying the stories of individuals, from our community, who tragically lost their lives as a result of domestic violence in 2009. “It was our hope that by displaying the stories of these eight individuals, the people of our community will put a face on domestic violence and be encouraged to get involved and break the cycle before other lives are lost,” said Jami Bueker, Hubbard House Chief Development Officer.
Deborah D. Tucker, Executive Director of the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, was this year’s keynote speaker. Tucker is the founding Chair of the National Network to End Domestic Violence and helped write and pass the original Violence Against Women Act in 1994.
The Barbara Ann Campbell Memorial Breakfast was presented by Joan L. Huffman, MD, Mrs. James S. Taylor, and the Weaver Family Foundation. All funds raised at the breakfast support the life-saving programs and services Hubbard House provides to more than 6,000 victims of domestic violence and their children annually.
ABOUT HUBBARD HOUSE
Hubbard House is a certified, comprehensive domestic violence center that serves victims and their children in Duval and Baker counties. In addition to shelter, the agency provides extensive adult and youth outreach services, school-based education, therapeutic childcare, batterers’ intervention programs, court advocacy and volunteer and community education opportunities. Visit www.hubbardhouse.org to learn more.