Credit: Erich Martin/NewtownPANow.com
When Kell Ramos’ sister was strangled to death by her ex-boyfriend in November of 2011 in a domestic violence dispute in New Jersey, he set out to raise awareness and to try to fix the problem at the source.
It was a problem he was well aware of. From seeing domestic abuse from his stepfather growing up to being arrested following a 2003 fight with his wife, he saw all aspects of the issue and wanted to go out and tackle the problem.
Ramos’ activism includes the creation of a documentary about the problem, media outreach and even legislative lobbying for a bill in New Jersey to help the problem. He, along with his group, is working to spread the message in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
“We’re trying to get men to speak up,” said Diana McIntosh, the vice president of the Domestic Violence Action Group (DVAG.) While other organizations focus on removing victims from their situation, the DVAG wants to stop the problem at its source.
In order to raise awareness and spread their message, DVAG is present on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, local television shows and more trying to spread their message. Whenever they are invited to a public event, they’re there.
The New Jersey bill the group is lobbying for would act almost as a Megan’s Law for domestic abuse. Abusers would be placed on a registry, McIntosh said.
“Every time we go out, people are very welcoming. Most people have some type of experience with this. This is very real,” McIntosh said, commenting on the support she and the organization receive at public events.
According to McIntosh, appearing in the public eye is very important for their message and goal. “The more we are in public, the quicker we will grow,” she stated. “I don’t know how we can’t.”
The organization is based out of Burlington County, New Jersey. Their board is mostly from Mercer County, but the group has been at many events in Bucks County recently. The DVAG had made appearances at the Redner’s Market in Middletown, a craft fair in Lower Makefield and Newtown’s Welcome Day.
In addition towards creating a documentary on the subject, DVAG is active in creating PSAs online and often try to bring interesting twists to them, including making them into raps and other short internet videos.
More information on the group can be found at its website, domesticviolenceactiongroup.org.
