Davis says cookoff benefits in many ways for center

As you enjoy your chili during the 16th Annual Oilman's Chili Cookoff on Thursday, Eugene Davis, executive director of the Kilgore Crisis Center, will be counting the ways the money raised from this fun event will benefit the many women and children who come to the center for help.

Davis reports that last year the crisis center served 279 different clients. About 10 percent were victims of sexual abuse and the rest sought help as victims of domestic violence.

The Crisis Center also offers shelter to these victims. In 2007, 98 women sought shelter in addition to 38 clients who returned from previous years.

If you think sexual assault and domestic violence happen to other people, consider these "other people" are your neighbors, your friends, your relatives. Per statistics gathered from the major law enforcement agencies in Gregg County last year, there were 152 cases investigated in the county; 20 in Gladewater; 62 in Kilgore; 1,047 in Longview; and 18 in White Oak. These numbers don't include Harrison and Rusk County's cases.

The Crisis Center, begun in 1984, offers programs for victims of family violence, sexual abuse and other violent crimes. It offers a crisis hotline, 1-800- 333-9148, that is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The center also receives funding from state and federal grants, the United Way organizations of Gregg, Rusk and Panola counties, and individual donations. Because the Crisis Center is a non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductible.

If the numbers don't sway you, perhaps the story below will hit home.

He went into the kitchen and grabbed a knife and threatened me with it. He said if I called the police, I would see what would happen. I was terrified and begged him to stop and put away the knife. He did and told me to never threaten him again.

After our third child was born, he became enraged with me during an argument and pushed me to the floor as I was holding her. He did this in front of our other two children.

The abuse was not only physical. The verbal and emotional torment I endured was terrible. He would call me names and say I was stupid in front our children. He made me feel like I could do nothing right. He was self-employed but played video games more than he worked to help his family. All the while, I was the only one working and supporting our family with a very good job. This only brought him to accuse me of cheating at work. It would never stop. My self-esteem was so low, I was at a total loss.

The final straw for me came in the spring of this year. Once again, I had upset him and he pushed me down, kicking me in front of our daughter. I looked up and saw her standing there watching this and saying, "Stop it, that's my mommy!"

I knew I had to get out.

In May, I contacted Jennifer at the Kilgore Community Crisis Center for a protective order. Since then, the children and I have moved to another location and divorce proceedings are underway.

A weight has been lifted off my shoulders. This hasn't been an easy process by any means, and it's still a battle. But, I am focused now on taking care of my children and myself.

I know that I am a worthwhile, strong woman who deserves to be treated with respect.