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Duringdiscussionofdomesticviolence,DeniseBrownbroughttotears|Campus|collegian.psu.edu

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/news/campus/article_2a3a08ec-4e22-11e4-8520-001a4bcf6878.html

During discussion of domestic violence, Denise Brown

brought to tears
By Gabriella Santoliquito | Collegian Staff Writer Oct 7, 2014

Camille Stefani

Penn State's Center for Women Students accepts a check to support their work helping victims of domestic violence before Deni
Brown's speech at Heritage Hall on Monday, Oct. 6.

From the time they were little girls attending dance recitals and sharing everything with
one another, Denise Brown looked out for her sister Nicole Brown Simpson and said she
never thought there would be a life without her.

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Duringdiscussionofdomesticviolence,DeniseBrownbroughttotears|Campus|collegian.psu.edu

Though, as the two sat in a restaurant one evening, Brown Simpson expressed her fear
and desire to leave her hometown at the time.
That June night in 1994, Brown hugged her sister goodbye and said I love you for the
last time.

That night she was murdered, Brown said to hundreds within Heritage Hall last evening
with a quivering voice and tears falling, after recalling for the first time in a while, the
moment her sisters life ended.
Sponsored by the Center for Women Students and funded with a grant from Verizon
Wireless, Browns presentation was open to all students, faculty and community
members as she discussed domestic violence awareness and educational tools relating
to the issue.
Verizon Associate Director Ryan Locaitis presented the Center for Women Students with
a $25,000 check and said were here to fight domestic violence.
Especially looking at recent events within the NFL, a lot of organizations are backing
down from sponsorship, Locaitis said. Verizon said it would be against our moral
credibility to run from a crisis instead of to it.

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Duringdiscussionofdomesticviolence,DeniseBrownbroughttotears|Campus|collegian.psu.edu

Following her sisters June 12, 1994 murder, Brown said though she immediately began
visiting shelters and educating herself about domestic violence, she was still angered by
the entirety of the situation for about 13 years.
It was the most horrific thing that can happen in anybodys life. It kills me every time I
say it, she said. Through this tragedy though, I made a commitment to myself and to
Nicole to do whatever I could to help. On one side, I wish Nicole was back and I never
had to stand here and talk about domestic violence but because of her death her
murder there have also been so many wonderful and incredible things.
After Brown Simpsons diaries were found, Brown said as she read through her sisters
notes and stories she could not believe what she was reading.
Brown said she and her sister shared everything with one another and until she
educated herself on the monster that domestic violence is, it was difficult
understanding how her sister could keep such a secret.
By traveling throughout the country for 19 years and hearing others stories, Brown
recalled continually hearing the same excuses for bruised faces or broken arms that
she remembered hearing her sister tell doctors and her family.
Someone in the public eye has the ability to bring awareness to the community whereas
if you have a victim here and a victim there, you dont really hear the voices of those who
may not want to tell their story or make it public, State College Police Department,
Victim Centered Intensive Case Management Unit Detective Kris Albright said. Someone
like [Brown] can shine light on domestic violence issues and help the community move
forward.
Brown touched base on the importance of men standing behind domestic violence just
as much as women because the more domestic violence issues are discussed, the more
education can take place and the more we can break the silence and banish the
darkness.

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Duringdiscussionofdomesticviolence,DeniseBrownbroughttotears|Campus|collegian.psu.edu

Victims of domestic violence are constantly on guard and a zero tolerance needs to
develop, Brown said.
Being a victim is like 24 hours a day, walking on an emotional tight rope and hoping not
to fall.
Need a calendar?
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Gabriella can be reached at gqs5171@psu.edu or (814) 865-1828. Follow her on Twitter at

@gmsanto3.

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