THOMASVILLE — Speakers at a Thursday Halcyon Home for Battered Women & Children luncheon included a cop who despises domestic violence abusers and a woman who is a victim of the crime.

Wendy Jenkins was kidnapped and assaulted by her former husband in March. She jumped from his vehicle to escape.

The Thursday event marked the 18th annual kickoff rally for annual Violence Awareness Month.

“We women have to love ourselves fiercely,” Jenkins told those attending the event at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

Jenkins’ domestic violence began with verbal abuse that moved to physical.

“If you survive the abuse, you will survive the recovery,” said Jenkins, adding that women must leave abusive situations. “Don’t let domestic violence define you.”

Jenkins had filed for divorce from her husband, but the attack took place before the divorce was final.

She received a standing ovation at the end of her address.

Thomasville Police Department Capt. Maurice Holmes, head of the TPD Criminal Investigations Division, is a direct victim of domestic violence.

In April 2007, Holmes’ sister-in-law was gunned down by her husband. The woman’s 16-year-old son also was murdered. Five other sons witnessed the deaths.

Holmes said he had seen the signs of domestic violence in the family and discussed it with his wife. 

“A month later, it happened.” he said.

His sister-in-law put on a happy front, but she was crying inside, the officer recalled.

In 2017, Georgia had 149 domestic violence victims. Some were children.

“I despise a domestic violence abuser,” Holmes said.

The crime knows no skin color or socioeconomic status. Domestic violence must be stopped before it reaches stages of passion and rage, Holmes said.

The officer’s message to domestic violence victims: “Believe in yourself and realize children have a right to be raised in a home where there is no abuse.”

Thomasville City Council member Jay Flowers, who read a proclamation at the luncheon, described TPD as the lion in local domestic abuse and Halcyon Home as the lamb.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820