Novi woman is a Champion of Justice, fighting for an end to domestic violence for 30 years – Hometown Life

Kathy Hagenian is a true champion of justice.

The Novi resident has been fighting against domestic violence and sexual assault and on behalf of the survivors of these crimes for more than 35 years and was recently recognized for the work that could to someappear to bedark and endless and emotionally exhausting.

Hagenian recalls someone once told her, Theres nothing light about your work.

Its not light work, she agrees, but there is light in the work, and hope in the work and strength in the work, and that is because of survivors, who started our movement and continue the work today.

Hagenian, 59, was recently honored with the Champion of Justice award by the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board for her lifetime of advocacy on behalf of those survivors.

When she was studying psychology at the University of Michigan in the early '80s, she couldnt have imagined the path she would soon be on, particularly with the scarcity of classes addressing domestic violence and sexual assault. However, she recalls there was one graduate assistant who had interest in these topics, and Hagenian started her own research, driven by many different experiences in my own life.

She came across one particular report that revealed details of womens testimony regarding their domestic assaults.

I was sitting in the library doing research and I felt outrage and injustice about the experiences that these survivors were brave enough to share, but even as they were reaching out for help, they were blamed and disbelieved.

Hagenian began volunteering for womens domestic violence shelters and interned at a facility for youths who had experienced trauma and assault.

Following graduation, she worked as a state social worker specialist briefly, then launched into her years of advocacy for a succession of non-profit organizations, including the Coalition, which she joined in 1988 and now serves as the executive policy director for the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Debi Cain, executive director of the Division of Victim Services in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, noted Hagenian's commitment to survivor empowerment.

Her training and policy focus is centered on honoring the lived experience of survivors, which includes understanding trauma while emphasizing survivors strength, resilience, and healing, Cain said.

In the span of nearly four decades, Hagenian said she has certainly seen remarkable and dramatic change in the culture surrounding the topics of domestic violence and sexual assault.

One of the biggest changes is women feeling able to speak about their experiences, with the unfair blame placed on victims finally being turned to the perpetrators, where it should have been all along.

Survivors often feel blame or shame, but it is incumbent on us to take that away," Hagenian said."This is something that happened to somebody, it is not who they are."

The number of women coming forward to share their stories of being assaulted, including during the past year of pandemic, has certainly increased, but Hagenian clarifies that doesnt mean the number of assaults has necessarily increased.

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What the evidence points to is that survivors are trusting that help is available. That they will be believed. That they will be supported.

And, Hagenian adds, as the fear subsides that they will not be blamed or shamed, she expects the numbers to continue to increase and the healing and prevention to mount.

We can all be champions of justice, she said, by listening.

What do we do when we see someone being abusive? Hagenian asked. What do we do to recognize (signs of abuse) and make a decision to do something, rather than ignore because we dont want it to be true, or turn away because we dont know what to do?"

Its never too early to talk to kids about personal respect and boundaries, Hagenian said.

For any age, there is no one way to be approachable, and much could depend on the nature of the relationship, but key is being approachable and genuine and perhaps just starting with asking a simple question: are you OK? while being prepared for a not simple answer and taking cues from the response.

So many we know continue to suffer in silence, whether the trauma was two hours, two days, two weeks, two months, two years or 20 years ago, Hagenian said. We hope they reach out to someone, that they have the opportunity to share what has happened and to get support and to know it is not their fault and they deserve the opportunity to heal in whatever way is best... Things will change when we are all advocates.

For more information on how to help or to receive assistance, visitthe Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence website.

Contact reporter Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com or 517-281-2412. Follow her on Twitter @SusanBromley10.

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Novi woman is a Champion of Justice, fighting for an end to domestic violence for 30 years - Hometown Life