HYANNIS – Independence House has set dates to bring three high profile women survivors of domestic and sexual violence to Cape Cod for free events this year.
These survivors bring voices not often heard in the community on a local level, as each hold a level of recognition on their own. They offer their experiences as survivors of abuse and are models that domestic and sexual violence have no demographic boundaries.
The first event, scheduled to take place on May 7, 2019 at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod from 6:00‐8:00pm will feature Jenna Quinn.
Quinn is a survivor of sexual abuse, author, TED speaker, and the survivor behind Jenna’s Law in Texas. She is a warrior against sexual abuse of children and adolescents.
With a Master’s Degree in Communication Studies, Quinn has reached international audiences, sharing her unique and inspiring story with Legislatures, law‐enforcement, abuse‐prevention groups, schools, community of faith, and now, the Cape Cod community.
This free keynote seminar event will also offer CE’s at a nominal fee of $15 for those needing the credits in the field of Social Work, Nursing, and Mental Health Counseling. Jenna will also have her book “Pure in Heart” available for purchase and signing.
This event is presented in collaboration with The Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition and the Cape & Islands Enough Abuse Campaign. Registration is required through the Independence House website.
On June 19, 2019, Andrea (Drea) Kelley will travel from Los Angeles to Cape Cod for an intimate conversation with the community. Drea is a domestic violence survivor, dancer, award‐winning choreographer, actress, mother and ex‐wife of rap singer R. Kelly of recent news.
Drea is an outspoken advocate for survivors of domestic violence and details her journey through the physical, verbal, mental and financial marital abuse she experienced.
Drea has produced a video memoir about her experiences titled, “I have CRACKS, but I’m not BROKEN!” and has donated proceeds from her video to the National Coalition of Domestic Violence and other domestic violence prevention organizations. This intimate event is in collaboration with the NAACP Cape Cod Chapter and will take place at The Sea View in Dennisport. A dinner to celebrate the holiday “Juneteenth” will be included. Details on how to register will be released soon.
To help celebrate the 19th Annual Independence House Domestic Violence Awareness Month Community Breakfast on October 4, 2019, survivor and Photo‐journalist Patrisha McLean is bringing her ground‐breaking project Finding Our Voices: Breaking the Silence of Domestic Abuse to Cape Cod. The multi‐media project, hailed as ‘brave, beautiful, sad, scary, and inspiring” was sparked three years ago after Patrisha’s now ex‐husband, the singer of “American Pie”, was arrested and charged with six criminal charges of domestic abuse.
This is the first appearance beyond Maine for the project, which has been touring that state’s museums, high schools, public libraries and prisons since launching on Valentine’s Day. Patrisha will reveal her journey that made international headlines and also share why she has a special connection to Independence House. Details on how to attend this important breakfast event will be made available in late August.
Independence House, Inc. is Cape Cod’s leading resource, counseling and advocacy center to address and prevent domestic and sexual violence. To learn more about Independence House, visit www.independencehouse.org.
By TIM DUNN, CapeCod.com News Center
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