Denise Brown speaks out about domestic violence

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — In the second part of a two-part discussion with Nicole Brown Simpson’s sister, Denise Brown says she personally understands the devastating effects of domestic violence.

She spent three decades tirelessly fighting for the prevention of domestic violence.

Thirty years ago this week, Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman were brutally killed. The murders follow years of documented domestic violence and alleged abuse against Nicole by her ex-husband, OJ Simpson.

It was Denise’s worst fear.

“She was an all-around beautiful woman who you could do anything with and you could take her anywhere,” Denise said of Nicole.

Following the murders in the upscale Hollywood community, the investigation, the pursuit of OJ Bronco and the nationally televised trial, police began receiving a flood of calls from victims of domestic violence .

Denise began speaking out against domestic violence, appearing at events and before Congress to call for change.

“The Violence Against Women Act was passed (and) a 24-hour national domestic violence hotline was established,” said Denise, who wishes she had been informed about domestic violence thirty years ago. “Don’t ask questions about why. I asked questions. “Why do you want to be with him? Why do you want to, you know, get out of here?” So I did all the wrong things because I wasn’t educated.

Experts agree.

The Willow Domestic Violence Center in Rochester, New York, says leaving an abuser is the most critical and dangerous time. They suggest saying things that can offer choice and power to the person they are trying to help, such as saying, “We believe you.” how can I help you, or what do you need? »

“I really want people to understand that education awareness is the key to actually sitting down and supporting a victim of domestic violence,” Denise said.

Despite efforts, domestic violence remains a major problem.

“And the statistics today are no better than they were 30 years ago, which really bothers me,” she said.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline reports responding to 446,320 calls, chats and texts in 2022. This is an all-time high for the organization and an increase of nearly 10%, or approximately 40,000 more calls than the previous year.

“It’s really scary,” Denise said. “It’s truly sad. Domestic violence is something that we need to educate our young people about who don’t know about this case (and) who don’t know Nicole (or) don’t know about the whole trial that happened. They don’t know about domestic violence. »

As devastating as Nicole’s loss was, Denise looks for the good that can come from it.

“Being able to look back and see all the good her murder did for other victims of domestic violence warms my heart because at least I know she didn’t die in vain,” he said. she declared.

As Denise and her sisters promote their brand new Lifetime documentary, “The Life and Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson,” Denise says the murder seems like it happened yesterday.

“The questions are always like: ‘What do you want to say to him?’ I just want her back. That’s what I want. I really wish she would come back and I wouldn’t have to talk about domestic violence and none of this would happen in our lives. that this is happening to a lot of people across our country and around the world so I just want to be able to educate and I want to be able to do something for families that are in the same situation that I might be in. the same situation as us and just educate myself and learn And I just don’t want another Nicole to happen to a family that loves their daughter or their sister I just don’t want that to happen to anyone. either.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can text START to 88788, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or chat online at TheHotline.org.

The organization is reaching its historically high contact volume with more than 2,000 incoming calls, chats and text messages per day.