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Ceremony honors victims' advocates
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2009
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photos by CAROL HARVAT
Calvert County Commissioner Barbara Stinnett (D) speaks about the county's efforts to help victims of domestic violence. Stinnett and Commissioner Linda Kelley (R) were honored for their efforts to help women.
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The two-fold message on domestic violence rang out repeatedly at an honorees ceremony Thursday evening as those who have fought to gain victims' services spoke about the accomplishments in Calvert during the past 25 years and the work that still needs to be done.
The woman who "paved the way for women of domestic violence to get help," Alice Hall, was the "2009 Award Recipient for Contributions to Women in Need." Tracy Palmer, co-chair of the Calvert County Commission for Women (CCCW), presented the award to Hall, who established the CCCW and wanted a place for victims of domestic violence to go for safety and support, Palmer said.
"It's good to be recognized and honored, but we're not finished yet. We cannot stop," said Hall, who was also awarded a proclamation by U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.). Hall said she admired Mikulski and considered her a hero when she first met her in 1976, a meeting that was the impetus for the CCCW.
At the candlelight vigil on the lawn of the Calvert County Circuit Court before the reception, the message was two-fold: honoring those who had the courage to step away from their abuser and encouraging those who have not yet made the journey.
"We stand here today to say ‘enough is enough,'" said Palmer, a domestic violence survivor.
Of those who took the step away from their abusers, Palmer said, "We are proud of you and we honor your courage."
Then she spoke to those still in a violent domestic relationship, saying, "Don't relinquish the fight, you have the strength to overcome. We are here and we will listen and help you find the way. It's a journey that will award you more than you ever felt possible."
After the vigil, stories of the progression of services provided for domestic violence victims in Calvert County were told by honorees at a reception celebrating the Crisis Intervention Center's 25 years of service, which was originally called the Abused Person Program.
One domestic violence victim, who used services 20 years ago, spoke about her personal journey and the assistance she and her young daughters received through the newly developed programs.
"Without the help of the Abused Person Program, I don't know where I'd be today," she said after talking about how she and her daughters used shelters and counseling services, connecting with many supportive people.
"I'm at peace, truly grateful for all the help," she said.
Del. Sue Kullen (D-Calvert) announced that she was recently elected president of the Women's Legislative Caucus.
"Domestic violence is certainly one of the priorities that we will be working on," Kullen said.
An honored volunteer and employee at the crisis center for 24 years, Tricia Naron said, "Through the years, I've worked with so many clients. It really touches me."
She said she's been asked many times if she gets tired of the victims who would start the process but never follow through. She said she answers "No," stating that the average victim goes back seven times.
"The gift is they came back to us … trusted us enough to give us a call. To me, it's been a gift," she said of her service.
Retired Maryland Circuit Court Judge Tom Rymer and his wife Gracie were honored for their work on pursuing the creation of a state law that allowed a victim to be granted a protective order that does not allow the suspected abuser into a shared residence for a period of time. Initially called ex parte orders, they were originally only granted for a five-day period. The Rymers shared the story of the difficulty they had trying to rally legislative support for a bill for domestic violence victims.
"That was a philosophy change that you wouldn't believe," Tom Rymer said of the time when many homes at the time were only in a husband's name.
Over the years, the period of time granted for the protective order increased, and in 2009 the law extended a final protective order time to be up to two years, he said.
Retired District Court Administrative Judge Stephen Clagett said that when he looked back at all of Calvert's fatal domestic violence cases, he realized, "I've had some involvement" whether as a prosecuting attorney or a judge listening to a protective order hearing. He has "a long-standing contribution in Calvert County in cases coordinating with victims and services," Palmer said.
Two members of the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners were also honored for their role in assisting the progress of victims' services. Commissioner Barbara Stinnett (D) advocated for victims in her two terms on the board, as a legislative aid to Maryland Sen. Roy Dyson (D-Calvert, St. Mary's, Charles) and in other organizations in which she participated "addressing needs of women" and being "supportive of all women's services," Palmer said.
Commissioner Linda Kelley (R) pushed for a women's shelter and talked with area churches, eventually finding support for Safe Harbor Shelter. Kelley said she would be remiss if she did not mention Joan King and Aileen Stamper, now deceased, but "strong supporters" of the shelter.
"Safe Harbor is a conduit for a very generous community," Kelley said.
Kelley recruited Ed Apple, who was also honored, to assist with the creation of the shelter and who continues to volunteer.
The Crisis intervention Center received two proclamations for its 25 years of service, one from Dick Myers, assistant with Mikulski's office, and another from Betsy Bossart, representing Congressman Steny Hoyer (D-Md., 5th).
Ending out the ceremony, Sheriff Mike Evans (R) spoke about the new Lethality Assessment Program that provides deputies responding to a domestic violence call with a series of questions for the victim to determine the possibility of whether the situation might turn fatal. In 2008, the state credited Calvert County as being ranked fifth for providing services to domestic violence victims, he said, and with a new coordination of agencies, Calvert has risen to second place.
