8th ‘Rise Up’ event held in support of those impacted by domestic violence in Lexington

LEXINGTON, Ky. ( FOX 56 ) — Strong, together, standing in purple, the community is rising up against domestic violence.

The 8th-annual “Rise Up” event hosted by the Fayette County Sheriff’s office brought several community partners to the front of the district court building Thursday evening. The event aims to connect people with resources while also providing food and warm coats to bridge the gap between victims and support.

“To celebrate survivors, to stand arm in arm and rise up in unity to continue this fight and to continue to wage this war on domestic violence until we end it in Lexington,” said Fayette County Sheriff Kathy Witt.

Operation Making a Change works to prevent and end violence for children. Geo Gibson, founder and executive director, said it is important for the kids to understand what domestic violence is.

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“I think that it’s very important that we continue to educate our kids so as they start to grow and get involved in relationships, they will be able to look for the signs that’s necessary to see if its something that can lead to a domestic violence dispute,” said Gibson.

Brave survivors shared their stories in hopes of inspiring other victims to rise up out of abuse and seek help.

“But when the police got back to the house, what he had for me, they found a 12 gauge pump action shotgun under the alpha tree with four shell cases,” said one survivor.

Leaders say they know abuse does not discriminate and want community members to know help waiting.

“We’re committed to the effort and every year we have one incident of domestic violence; it will bring us back to this plaza in October,” said Witt.

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