'Monsters that walk in the daylight, demons that do not come in dreams'

It was easy to miss Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

It shares October with the higher profile b reast cancer awareness month.

Both are things we should be aware of.

Both impact life.

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Both are far too big for one month.

That said, with all the worthy events centered around breast cancer awareness, it was easy to overlook domestic violence, an often overlooked killer.

But that didn't happen locally due to the work of the Artemis Center.

The domestic violence awareness, prevention and advocacy group celebrated 30 years of serving the Miami Valley at its annual Breaking the Cycle fundraising breakfast.

Some of the more powerful moments of a powerful morning came during child therapist Eric Wolf's address.

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

He's only been with Artemis eight months, but he knows more than most about the suffering felt by children who witness domestic violence.

"I came here thinking I knew something about domestic violence from books and from the few clients that I had previously that were survivors of domestic violence," he said. The education I have received from my clients and from the staff of Artemis has been mind-blowing.  I have seen the worst and the best of what can be in humans."

One in 15 children are exposed to domestic violence every year, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Eric told the crowd that dad became the monster who did "walk in the daylight" and one of the "demons that do not come in dreams."

Credit: Amelia Robinson

Credit: Amelia Robinson

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