Domestic violence can affect anyone, and recognizing the warning signs can be an important step toward helping someone find support. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart spoke with Halle Fike, Director of Programs for New Directions of Knox County, about the organization’s work and an upcoming community event, “Change the Story: Gabby’s Untold Story.”
Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click on the picture link below.
New Directions of Knox County serves as the area’s domestic violence, rape crisis, and human trafficking center. The organization provides emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis line, advocacy, hospital and court accompaniment, ongoing support for survivors, and prevention education throughout the county.
Fike also oversees the organization’s prevention team, which works with young people in nearly every school in Knox County. Through these programs, students learn about healthy relationships, personal boundaries, consent, and ways to recognize unhealthy behaviors.
Sharing Gabby Petito’s Story
“Change the Story: Gabby’s Untold Story” will take place Wednesday, October 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Woodward Opera House in Mount Vernon.
The event will feature Nicole Schmidt, Gabby Petito’s mother, and Tara Petito, her stepmother. They will share more about Gabby’s life and reflect on warning signs they recognized in hindsight following her death, helping attendees better understand the complexities of domestic violence and the importance of recognizing concerning behaviors.
Although Gabby’s story received national attention, Fike explained that many victims and their families never receive the same level of recognition. The event emphasizes that every survivor has a story that matters and that domestic violence is not always obvious to those outside the relationship.
The program will also include a local community panel and the voice of a survivor, connecting Gabby’s story with the experiences, resources, and challenges within Knox County. The discussion will explore how the community can recognize warning signs, support survivors, and work together to prevent domestic violence.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
Fike emphasized that domestic violence is often about patterns of power and control rather than isolated incidents. Warning signs may include extreme jealousy, monitoring a partner’s phone or location, controlling finances, limiting someone’s freedom, or isolating them from friends and family.
Friends, neighbors, and loved ones may notice these behaviors before a person experiencing abuse feels comfortable talking about them. Learning to recognize these patterns can help people respond with care and concern.
While October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Fike stressed that education and prevention must continue throughout the year. Conversations about healthy relationships, consent, boundaries, and warning signs can help people recognize unhealthy dynamics and understand where to turn for help.
Supporting Survivors with Compassion
One of the most important messages Fike shared is the need to listen to survivors without judgment, believe them, and offer support without pressuring them to make decisions before they are ready.
Leaving an abusive relationship can be a particularly dangerous time. Instead of telling someone what they must do, friends and family can offer a listening ear, help them explore their options, and remind them that they do not have to face the situation alone.
Fike also encouraged anyone experiencing domestic violence to reach out to New Directions, even if they are not ready to leave a relationship or make a police report. Advocates can listen, discuss available options, assist with safety planning, and connect individuals with community resources while respecting their decisions.
New Directions of Knox County’s 24-hour crisis line is 740-397-HELP (4357).
Every Voice Matters
Fike hopes attendees leave “Change the Story: Gabby’s Untold Story” with a greater understanding of how domestic violence affects individuals, families, workplaces, and entire communities. She also hopes they feel empowered to make a difference.
Changing the story does not always begin with a major action. It may start by speaking up when something is not right, learning to recognize warning signs, believing a survivor, or simply being present when someone needs a person who will listen.
Everyone has a role to play in building a safer, healthier community, and every person deserves to be heard and supported.
Community members are encouraged to attend “Change the Story: Gabby’s Untold Story” on Wednesday, October 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Woodward Opera House. Registration information is available on the New Directions of Knox County website at newdirectionsknox.org and through the organization’s social media pages.
You can also register HERE.
To learn more about New Directions’ services or speak with an advocate, call 740-397-HELP (4357).
WNZR thanks Halle Fike and New Directions of Knox County for helping raise awareness, encourage important conversations, and support survivors throughout our community.
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