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Survivor urges Clay County commissioners to confront 'psychoviolence' and systemic failures
Summary
Jane Groenenberg, a domestic violence survivor, told the board she believes a recent local death was caused by violence not suicide and urged Clay County leaders to change how the system treats non‑physical abuse, calling current responses inadequate and harmful to survivors.
During the public comment period, Jane Groenenberg of Morehead introduced herself and described decades of psychological and domestic violence in her life, saying the county's response to non‑physical abuse is inadequate and often results in victim blaming.
"Hearing about Sahar stirred my heart and soul to break my silence about domestic violence," Groenenberg told the board. She challenged characterizations of a recent local death, saying, "I can say her life ended because of extreme violence, not suicide." She urged commissioners to use their authority to change how the system responds, saying services that arrive after an incident are "too little, too late."
Groenenberg described personal trauma dating to 1989 and criticized a system she said ignores psychological abuse and labels victims as the problem. She closed by quoting Edmund Burke: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." The board thanked her for speaking and acknowledged the need for awareness; no formal action was taken during the meeting.
