Page 23 - Priorities #61 2015-April/May

Working to End Domestic Violence 23 by Sean Mclain Brown
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“People don't talk about domestic violence,” says Nick Jaeger, the Priory’s 2014 Octo-
ber Steward of the Month. “I think this is an enormous part of the problem.” Two years ago for a theology assignment in Ms. Buccola’s class, Nick Jaeger began working with CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse) an organization that combats domestic violence.
Nick’s passion and enthusiasm for speaking out against domestic violence is serious yet hopeful. He rattles off domestic violence statistics like a veteran yet grounds his data in real-life experiences that he has witnessed and heard throughout his work with CORA.
Nick says, “People aren't familiar with how common abuse is. If you look at the statistics, it's staggering. People have no idea that it's not just something that afflicts the poor and the rich, whatever race, whatever sexuality. It's universal. It's so common. It's so unacceptable.”
Nick started a fundraiser that raised over $60,000 for the organization. In addition he also speaks to students at other schools to raise awareness and educate his peers about domestic violence and abuse with a message of hope.
“At CORA they work on not only saving a person but really giving them a future,” Nick says. “Once we start to learn that and learn that it's so common, 1 in 3 and then, de- pending on the environment, 1 in 5, people experience some sort of abuse. If you look at college campuses, if you look at it globally, the numbers are enormous. I tell people this isn't something to be ashamed of. It happens and is unacceptable."
In light of recent media attention to domestic violence and abuse in professional sports, Nick has a few thoughts. He says, “My goal is not to have a brief moment where we do talk about domestic violence but to have communities that do talk about domestic violence and don't talk about it for a few months around a big scandal. The NFL, they tried to shut it down and stop talking about it. Violence doesn't go away. The bruises are still being covered up. It's really finding a way to make a conversation lasting by asking what can I do next? What can we do as an incredible advanced, caring community to end domestic violence?”
Most recently, in recognition of his work with CORA, he was flown to New York to receive the highly regarded “Breakthrough Changemaker Inspiration Award” at an event where six people from across the country were honored, among them the CEO of Mastercard and Pepsi. He spoke at the event and was even interviewed live by Fox Business News.
Nick doesn’t like to talk about awards and personal achievement, even when pressed, instead he turns his attention to the people he serves; those affected by domestic violence and abuse.
Saint Benedict would be proud, as is the Priory, of students like Nick that work hard to make a difference in the lives of others.