Town proclaims Domestic Violence Awareness Day in honor of Ebony Crockett

Marked Tree, Arkansas – During the inaugural lunch, family, and friends gathered together to remember a woman who had passed away as a result of domestic abuse and to support victims who are still struggling.

Ebony Crockett, who worked at an Amazon Fulfillment Center in Horn Lake, was slain on June 3 after being shot in the parking lot behind the facility, where she was employed.

Ebony’s killer, Corey Brewer, had been fired from a previous job for sexual harassment and had been following her for some time before she was killed.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that approximately 41% of women and 26% of men had had an intimate partner who has subjected them to sexual violence, physical abuse, or stalking at some point in their lives.

Larry Crockett, Ebony’s brother, stated that he could feel her spirit in the building as she was being honored on Saturday.

“She was in the room today. I actually felt her presence because of the smiles, and the love and her presence was just so overwhelming felt,” said Larry.

This was the first-ever lunch, and it will continue to be held annually in order to draw awareness to the issue of domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse was given the Marked Tree designation by the municipality. The declaration was made public by Mayor Danny Johnson.

The date of October 29 has been officially designated by the community of Marked Tree as the day to raise awareness about domestic violence.

When the announcement was made, it brought an abundance of happiness to the Crockett family.

“It was very heartfelt that the city would think this much and do this thing for my sister and my family,” said Larry.

Patty Duncan, a staffer at the Jonesboro Family Crisis Center, spoke about her experience with her own abuser, who came dangerously close to taking her life, during the meeting.

“I have been a victim of domestic violence myself, I was stabbed and left on the side of the road, and I was very fortunate I got out of that and entered into this field,” said Duncan.

Duncan stated that on average, women will return to an abusive partner seven times. When victims do escape, many of them have nothing, but there are shelters out there that will help them become independent.

Duncan recalled that the only item she took with her when she fled her attacker was a change of clothes. She mentioned that there are a lot of resources available that can help you get back on your feet after escaping a relationship with domestic violence.

“Then first we leave, we think we can go back and things will be better. Then we are afraid that we don’t have a vehicle, we don’t have a job or a place for our kids,” said Duncan.

Not only does the Crockett family want to raise awareness about the issue of domestic abuse, but they also want to reach out to kids who have been impacted by it in some way. This is part of their effort to assist individuals who have been harmed as a result of the issue.

“This is just the beginning, we plan on making this meeting bigger, we want to do multiple scholarships, in this region, not just in Marked Tree,” said Larry.

In the event that you are experiencing domestic violence, you are able to call the Jonesboro Family Crisis Center’s hotline at any time at (879) 933-9449.