Deputy Kathy Crandall provides students with domestic violence resources on day two of her presentation. Photo by Jackie Finn
Inspired and saddened by news headlines, Kathy Crandall made a decision. Crandall is a domestic violence survivor and it was time to share her story in an effort to warn others in abusive relationships.
Wheatland-Chili MS/HS Health and FACS teacher Danielle Bartl heard about Crandall’s interest in presenting to high school students through the School Resource Officer, Lauren Udicious. “I like to bring in community partners to share information and resources,” said Bartl. “The students just wrapped up a unit on Violence Prevention. I want to empower my students to advocate for themselves. I was eager to have Kathy Crandall present to the class because it’s the personal stories that they will remember.”
On Thursday, December 13, 2018 Crandall entered a high school classroom to present her story for the first time. Bartl’s 10-12 Health class listened intently as Crandall described the night, thirty years ago, when she survived.
In 1988 Crandall was a high school senior, 17 years old, and in her first major relationship. Her boyfriend, Sean, beat her but she concealed it from everyone. “I lied to my father and friends about the bruises. Sean was my boyfriend. I loved him and I didn’t want him to get in trouble.”
Crandall lived with her father, who worked nights, and was alone when her boyfriend showed up at 3 a.m. with a hunting knife, threatened her over a rumor involving their mutual friend George, and left in a rage – returning 45 minutes later with a 22 rifle.
“He explained his plan. We were going to George’s house. He was going to make me watch him shoot George. Then he was going to shoot me. Then he would shoot himself.”
In the 45-minute interval before Sean’s return, Crandall spoke on the phone with Russell, who lived with George, warning him of Sean’s first visit. Russell correctly interpreted the situation and approached a police officer parked on the street near his house. The officer mobilized police cars to both residences.
Despite her physical resistance and attempts to flee, Sean forced Crandall, at gunpoint, to drive to George and Russell’s house. Upon arrival, police surrounded the car, officers disarmed and arrested Sean, and brought Crandall to safety.
On December 13, Kathy Crandall stood, vulnerable, in jeans and a sweater in front of a room full of high school students and laid her pain and fear out for them to feel. On December 14, Deputy Crandall returned, in full police dress, to empower the same students to recognize warning signs and advocate for themselves, their friends, or family members.
Using print resources provided by Willow Domestic Violence Center, Deputy Crandall presented the twenty-two types of relationship abuse to the class. These examples fall within five categories: verbal abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and economic abuse. She also provided them with resources on who to contact if they are scared or need help. In addition to providing resources for those being abused, Deputy Crandall discussed resources for abusers seeking help.
“I hope the kids can walk away with a feeling of empowerment if they ever find themselves in an abusive situation,” said Deputy Crandall. “There is plenty of help and asking for the help is the bravest act you can do to save yourself and possibly others.”
Thirty years ago, Kathy Crandall stayed in an abusive relationship because she was embarrassed, she was afraid her boyfriend might hurt himself, and, mostly, she didn’t know what else to do.
Today, she is visiting students, the same age she was, and handing them the tools that might save their lives.
Deputy Crandall is a Monroe County Deputy Sheriff working in the Jail Bureau. She also teaches Mental Health, Social Media, and Sexual Harassment at the Police Academy.
