WS Chronicle

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.

With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, local nonprofit Beautiful Countenance is holding their annual Survivors Luncheon to help the fight against domestic violence. The luncheon will take place on Nov. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Best Western, 3330 Silas Creek Parkway.  

“We have a wide array of presenters and I may have overdid it because I was so excited because we are able to do this again,” Robinson said. “We have a wonderful keynote speaker this year that is going to share an electrifying speech to hopefully – and I believe it will – inspire to uplift women, men, boys and girls to let them know they don’t have to stay in a life of abuse or violence. To let them know there is hope and a way out and someone is on their side.”

Beautiful Countenance was started eight years ago by Barbara Johnson Robinson to serve victims of domestic violence in the Triad area. As a child, she witnessed domestic violence in her home, so the issue was always close to her heart.

“I grew up in a home where I saw domestic violence and so I was always aware of the effects it had on young people and children,” said Robinson about why she started her foundation. “I also was definitely doing it because I saw my mom experience it.”

Beautiful Countenance is a small organization and Robinson says she knows she can’t help everyone. For those she is able to assist, it makes her feel like she is making a tremendous difference.

“The feeling is indescribable when you are able to see someone escape an abuser mentally or physically,” she said. “You know that their overall life and well-being is going to be so much better and more beneficial.  

“They become a more beneficial person to the world because what domestic violence does to an individual is that it changes them from who they were originally intended to be. You really don’t know all the potential you have, all the places you can go, and all the things you can do when you are up under that heavy load of domestic violence or domestic abuse.”

The pandemic affected Robinson and Beautiful Countenance just like it did almost everyone else. For the last few years, operations have nearly ceased due to a lack of funding, along with capacity restrictions.

One aspect of the event Robinson is excited about is to shed more light on men who are, or have dealt with, domestic violence or abuse. She says many men don’t speak up about it due to embarrassment or the stigma attached to it.  

For more information on the Survivors Luncheon or to donate to the cause, please visit Beautiful Countenance on Facebook.