Jackson rises up against violence towards women

JACKSON, Tenn — Saturday morning members of the community gathered at the WRAP Safe Hope Center to dance in unity with the world taking a stand against violence towards women.

“The first two homicides we had in our city this year were the result of domestic violence,” Mayor Jerry Gist said to the crowd gathered. “If you don’t get to it before that point its almost impossible to do anything with.”

“This is an international rising of consciousness for breaking the chain of abuse,” said Lendon Noe.

Through dance, ladies and a few men joined WRAP, the Women and Men Resource and Rape Assistance Program, to highlight abuse as a global crisis not just a female issue.

“It’s not just something thats only for women,” said Union University student Thomas Gray. “Guys need to be standing up to other abusers and saying hey this is unacceptable. This isn’t something we should be endorsing or allowing.”

Statistics show, 1 in 3 women will be raped or beaten in their lifetime.

So “One Billion Rising” is a revolution calling for global change.

“This is really to stand against domestic abuse,” said Union University student Rian Trotter. “So we want to lead to voice to that and we really want to help be a part of the rising.”

Although the solidarity march was cancelled because of the cold weather, that didn’t stop supports from making it clear they will not stand for abuse in our community.

“So it’s really about bringing students to reach out to the community and lend our voices to this effort,” said Union University student  Allison Pulliam. “And kind of making it closer to home.”

“The professionals do this work every day,” said WRAP Executive Director Daryl Chansuthus. “This is about the community coming together and today we saw the community.”

The next billion rising up against domestic violence event will be in the University of Memphis Lambuth campus bistro on March 2nd at noon.