ASHLAND — If you’ve seen red cardboard cutouts around Ashland or Loudonville this month, they’re most likely part of the Silent Witness Project.
Last week, the cutouts stood in Corner Park. Now, they’re in Loudonville Central Park.
The cutouts are life-sized embodiments of real women murdered in acts of domestic violence.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Silent Witness exhibits around Ashland share stories of 10 women in Ashland County who’ve lost their lives to acts of violence.
Safe Haven, Ashland’s domestic violence shelter, hosted a candlelight vigil last week to honor the 10 women’s lives. The goal of having the exhibit is to raise awareness and try to ensure there’s not an 11th cutout. Safe Haven has posted all 10 stories to its Facebook page.
On Tuesday night, Safe Haven hosted another event commemorating the month of awareness. Called “Speak Out,” it was all about encouraging survivors to share their stories. A small crowd gathered at Freer Field’s community building to listen.
“This is intended to be an intimate space for survivors to say, ‘This is my story,’” said Rebecca Garcia, Safe Haven’s program director.
Garcia said that often, survivors’ stories are shared through the lenses of others. Tuesday’s event aimed to allow anybody who wanted to, to share their stories, no holds barred.
While no one in the small crowd shared their own stories, Safe Haven advocates shared some of the stories of the women honored in the Silent Witness Project exhibit.
“We try to do this to recognize that these are real stories, and women who lived and breathed and had families,” said Laura Brewer, Safe Haven’s outreach and prevention advocate.
Lynn Jackenheimer
An advocate stepped up to read the story of Lynn Jackenheimer. Told from her family’s perspective, Jackenheimer’s story shared how her ex-boyfriend caught her attention.
He was a friend at first, and then the pair began a romantic relationship. Jackenheimer had a daughter, and the pair had a son together.
At first, her story described him as the “man of her dreams,” but then things took a turn. He made snarky comments about her excitement about Christmas. He also commented that all his money was being spent on the children.
Then, anger issues became more evident. According to the story, Jackenheimer’s boyfriend would control her social media, accuse her of cheating on him when she spent time with friends and they’d get into fights over trivial items.
Jackenheimer got good at predicting his moods, the storyteller said.
One day, they got in a fight and he pushed and strangled her. She didn’t want to press charges against the father of her son.
Jackenheimer eventually moved out. Still, she wanted a good co-parenting relationship for her son’s sake. Her ex claimed he started counseling and was getting better. They started to take their son places together, and he convinced her to go on a vacation.
Her stipulation was that they have separate rooms. She didn’t want him to get the idea that they’d be getting back together. But, the advocate shared, he had other intentions. He sent Jackenheimer’s daughter to ask her if she still loved him.
According to the story, when he didn’t get the response he wanted, he killed Jackenheimer.
Safe Haven’s Facebook post about Jackenheimer stated her cause of death was strangulation and stabbing. Her body was discovered 20-30 miles from where they had been staying.
Her estranged ex-boyfriend was sentenced to 30 to 39 years in prison.
“I always wanted to believe the father of my children had more respect for me than to kill me,” the advocate said.
The reading of Jackenheimer’s story ended with a call to find your purpose and to live it.
Charity Fisher-Hlovac
Another advocate stepped up to read the story of Charity Fisher-Hlovac.
She was murdered July 15, 2019. A neighbor called the police to say bullets were being fired into his apartment at around 2 a.m.
Fisher-Hlovac died. Her husband was sentenced to life in prison with the option of parole after 33 years.
She left behind two young sons. Garcia said her children lit a candle for their mother at Safe Haven’s candlelight vigil to honor her memory last week.
“It’s important to take time to remember their lives mattered,” Garcia said.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month continues in Ashland
Tuesday night’s Speak Out event ended with Garcia encouraging the group to visit an “affirmation station” Safe Haven established.
Garcia said domestic violence survivors often hear people lie about them. She said it’s important to cast those lies aside and affirm the good in yourself.
She also shared that more events in Ashland will help bring awareness to domestic violence through the end of the month.
Next week, the cutouts from the Silent Witness Project will stand on Ashland University’s campus. The public can visit or read about the stories of the eight other women in Ashland County, and remember their lives.
Oct. 19 is “Wear Purple Day.” Safe Haven is encouraging people to wear purple and share their support by taking a photo and tagging the organization.
Appleseed will also host the first-ever Apple Fest on Oct. 28. Garcia encouraged people to attend the family-friendly event. It will feature trunk or treat, a bouncy house, crafts and cornhole.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, you can reach out to Safe Haven’s 24/7 hotline number, 419-289-8085. You can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7 at 800-799-7233, or text START to 88788.
