The Cedar Key community buried another of its young people this week. Residents turned out in large measure to give respect to the deceased and comfort and support to her family. A cross section of the entire population, there were family, friends, neighbors, business people, clammers and oystermen just off the water, dads holding toddlers, moms with babes in strollers, elderly residents who needed assistance navigating the uneven ground to reach the graveside. Tears flowed, hugs and expressions of condolence and love were freely shared, and words of hope were given by the preacher. By all accounts, Felicia Fine was a good person: honest, responsible, hard-working, compassionate, fun-loving; a young woman who loved children, animals and family headed into her future in the place she had called home her entire life. Instead, she is dead, and this tragedy has affected the entire community. It appears that domestic violence has reared its ugly head again, this time with deadly consequences. Like the cross section of the community present at Felicia`s funeral, a similar cross section is affected by domestic violence, defined as a pattern of abusive behavior used against an intimate partner. Domestic violence crosses all lines. It affects people of every racial, economic, educational and religious background. Statistics of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence show that across our country, a woman is killed every 3 hours by her intimate partner. In the state of Florida, a victim is beaten every nine (9) seconds. Yes, there are male victims, but statistics show that 95 percent of reported incidents involve female victims. This percentage has not changed much over the past 30 years.
Domestic violence is a very serious issue, and it requires serious thought and action. It is a problem affecting the entire community, and it requires the entire community to activate solutions. It is imperative that adults take on the challenge of the cycle of violence in order to break that cycle in our next generation, our children and grandchildren. For free, confidential help, victims of domestic violence can call the 24-hour hotline at 1-800-500-1119 to be linked with local assistance. Another Way, a domestic and sexual violence prevention and intervention organization serving six counties (Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette and Levy), operates two emergency shelters, one in Levy County, as well as an outreach office in each county. |
