An event in DeLand will feature various individuals, including domestic-violence survivors, speaking on their experiences Saturday, Oct. 30.

The I Stand Against Domestic Violence Volusia County conference and vigil will feature such speakers including DeLand City Commissioner Jessica Davis, Boyd Consulting CEO Sherrise Boyd, and West Volusia NAACP President Sean King. 

Davis said she will be speaking about the domestic violence she witnessed her mother endure when Davis was a child.

“I remember the abuse vividly and the years of feeling defeated and helpless that I couldn’t help someone that I love. I wished my mother had the resources available and the courage to leave sooner,” she said. “It took my mother awhile to gain her strength to leave her toxic relationship and I do not want other victims to stay in a situation that is mentally or physically abusing them. Therefore, I am hoping that I can share something at the Domestic Violence conference to provide hope to a victim, their children, families and friends to seek help immediately.”

The event is being organized by FFT Helping Others, an organization started by Cynthya Pagan Hale. Hale is a survivor of domestic violence and will be among the speakers at the Oct. 30 conference. 

FFT Helping Others provides resources for people experiencing domestic violence. 

The FFT in FFT Helping Others stands for “Family, Friends, Togetherness,” Hale explained. Her children came up with the acronym, pointing out the importance of community when overcoming domestic violence. 

The I Stand Against Domestic Violence conference and vigil will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at the Wayne G. Sanborn Activity Center, 815 S. Alabama Ave., in DeLand. 

For more information, visit the Eventbrite page for the event HERE.

If you are experiencing domestic violence contact the national domestic violence hotline, 1-800-799-7233.