Victim's advocate making statement on child abuse Monday

A woman whose daughter was murdered more than a decade ago will publicly tell her story at District 4 HRDC Building 9 a.m Monday.

Kathleen Whitaker, who works as a victim and witness advocate and violence intervention facilitator in the District 4 Human Resources Development Council's domestic abuse program, said she will speak about her experience during the HRDC all-staff meeting in the fireside room.

"It's kind of an educational thing and it's therapeutic," Whitaker said.

She said she is making the statement to mark National Child Abuse Awareness month, held in April.

Whitaker's 2-year-old daughter, Tylin Paige Garrymore, was beaten to death by her stepfather in 2003, Whitaker said.

She said that before starting as victim's advocate at HRDC, she would mark each April by assisting other survivor's of domestic violence.

"I have gone to court with them, gone to bat with them; helped them get their children out of their homes that are abusive and things of that nature," she said

Whitaker said she hopes that her story can help other people who are in a situation similar to hers.

"If you are in a domestic violence relationship, never think that it will not go beyond you," she said. " Always be aware that the children are most likely facing the same issues as you."

Whitaker said that, later this month, HRDC will be hosting a stroll to raise awareness about child abuse. She said that a date for the stroll has not been set.

People who want to hear Whitaker’s statement Monday can ask at the front desk in the HRDC Building at 2229 5th Ave. for directions to the Fireside Room.