| Denise Brown, the sister of Nicole Brown Simpson, | | | | violence is unacceptable. This colorful, bright and |
| has committed herself to raising awareness against | | | | inviting book helps spread this important message to |
| domestic violence. Denise's life took a dramatic turn | | | | even the youngest of children that hitting is not |
| on June 12, 1994, when her sister was murdered. | | | | okay. |
| Now she has committed her life to raising awareness | | | | Though Brown has not publicly spoken about Nicole |
| about a crime that kills three women every day in | | | | Brown Simpson much in the past, she has recently |
| the United States. | | | | realized that to many, her sister has not been |
| When she recently came to Amelia Island, she was | | | | portrayed as "a real person" through the media. |
| the keynote speaker at a fundraiser for Micah's | | | | When we sat down with Denise, she opened up |
| Place, Inc., Nassau County, Florida's only Certified | | | | about her sister and what she knew about the |
| Domestic Violence Center. I had the opportunity to | | | | violent relationship Nicole was involved in prior to her |
| sit down with Brown for a very candid conversation | | | | murder. In this touching interview, the link can be |
| and video interview to discuss the increasing rates of | | | | found below, Denise speaks of her sister as a |
| domestic abuse, a message she wants shared with | | | | hopeless romantic, and in this moment of |
| the youth of our country, her rarely spoken about | | | | remembrance she unconsciously uses the present |
| relationship with her sister and what Denise Brown | | | | tense. |
| has planned for her future. | | | | Domestic violence is a learned behavior that touches |
| One of Brown's biggest concerns is the | | | | real people. Not just poor people, not just celebrities |
| misconception that domestic violence is not a serious | | | | and not just women! Brown is determined to banish |
| issue. She told me that the numbers of calls coming | | | | the darkness, end the silence, spread awareness and |
| into the crisis centers are increasing. The additional | | | | stop the cycle of violence. She founded The Nicole |
| financial stress families are facing because of our | | | | Brown Foundation (NicoleBrown.org), a non-profit |
| nation's poor economic health appears to be adding | | | | national advocacy organization against domestic |
| to the incidents of violence in the home. | | | | violence focused on bringing awareness, education |
| Anger management is not the answer to domestic | | | | and inspiration to others. Denise learned through |
| violence and abuse. More shelters are needed, | | | | diaries and notes that her sister had suffered over 17 |
| Batterer's Treatment Programs need to be expanded | | | | years of verbal, mental, physical and emotional abuse. |
| and education needs to begin at an earlier age. The | | | | Through the Nicole Brown Foundation, public service |
| Violence Against Women's Act has helped with | | | | announcements displayed on Los Angeles city buses |
| additional funds for shelters and programs, but | | | | are generating calls from men. Men who are being |
| awareness and public service announcements are not | | | | abused are calling their hot-line and so are the men |
| covered in the funding. Domestic violence is a cycle | | | | who want to know how to help someone out of |
| that can be broken. This is no longer a taboo topic | | | | these dangerous and life threatening situations. |
| and there are no acceptable excuses. No one should | | | | Breaking the circle of domestic violence is not easy, |
| have to endure physical, mental and emotional | | | | nor is making the choice to get out of a violent |
| terrorism in their own home. | | | | relationship. Statistics show that the abused return to |
| Having traveled the country speaking at prisons, | | | | their abusers again and again before they finally get |
| treatment centers and shelters, there are a few | | | | out and receive the support they need to start over |
| words about this violent crime the youth of our | | | | with their lives. |
| nation needs to hear. "You don't have to date the | | | | So, what is next for Denise Brown? She is laying the |
| captain of the football team if he is not a nice | | | | foundation for The Elite Speaker's Bureau to discuss |
| person." Domestic violence is a choice someone | | | | not just domestic violence, but also other problematic |
| makes; and our children need to be taught this at an | | | | issues of social responsibility utilizing real people, not |
| earlier age. The book, Hands are not for Hitting, is a | | | | just celebrities, who are experts in their field. |
| great resource to teach our kids that physical | | | | |