MILWAUKEE — Stopping domestic violence. It’s a topic that’s on the minds of many city leaders. The issue amplified after several high-profile incidents kept the domestic violence conversation at the forefront.
Thursday morning, a hearing room in City Hall was filled with people discussing the matter. Students, city leaders and people dealing with the issue on various fronts were all involved in the conversation.
A moment of silence kicked off the Commission on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault meeting. It was in honor of Amarah Banks and her two daughters who were killed earlier this month.
Police said the three died at the hands of Amarah’s ex-boyfriend. It’s a case city leaders said illustrated the need to address domestic violence in Milwaukee.
“I wanted to be here today because of the seriousness here today in our community,” said Mayor Tom Barrett, who appeared in the meeting.
The case had Damia Causey reliving her domestic violence nightmare from twenty years earlier.
"He didn't say anything. He lunged and I fell on the bed. The choke was so violent that I couldn't even gasp for air. I was unable to scream. And I truly thought that was how I was going to die," said Causey.
Causey said solutions to prevent future cases are long overdue.
“People in these situations, they’re so vulnerable in that moment and they just really need a lot of support.”
A community forum on domestic violence took place Thursday evening at the Black Historical Society Museum.
