October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Hardeman County has been in the forefront of recognizing the issue under the direction of the Wo/Men’s Resource & Rape Assistance Program (WRAP). Tamiko Talley is the WRAP advocate for Hardeman and Chester Counties and has been with the non-profit organization for two years. This month, Talley organized a walkathon and a signing of a proclamation to bring more attention to domestic violence and its presence in Hardeman County.
On Saturday, October 3, Talley held a Domestic Violence Awareness Walkathon at Courthouse Square in Bolivar. Talley dhared
“We know it is running rapid now. On the news, we hear all the time about cases, spouses killing their significant other, so there is a great need for what we do . . . there is no particular set of people it happens to, it happens to everybody. . . , rich or poor, it happens. Whatever gender, it happens,” said Talley, who shared some statistics she that were collected by WRAP for Hardeman County. “There were 244 domestic violence and sexual assault reports to law enforcement in Hardeman County in 2025. So, those are just the ones that were reported. So, we’ve got to think about those that weren’t reported.”
Talley shared several reasons people do not report, which included distrust of law enforcement, lack of knowledge or where to seek help, and shame.
“Thirty-two-point four percent of all crimes against persons reported to law enforcement in Hardeman County involve some form of domestic or sexual violence. Eight individuals lost their lives to domestic violence in West Tennessee,” said Talley.
Despite hearing the alarming numbers, the day was one of hope as Talley shared about the support, services, and mission of WRAP.
“WRAP’s mission is to prevent intimate partner violence, stop the transmission of violence to children, youth, and young adults and build healthy relationships across the lifespan, from children to seniors one relationship at a time, said Talley.
The morning continued with the walk. Talley asked each walker to repeat three single statements as they completed each lap around the courthouse: End Violence, Changes Lives, and Give Hope.
Domestic violence survivors were invited to participate in a Pouring of the Sand Ceremony.
Christina Littlejohn, a domestic violence survivor, shared her story.
Other events Talley held later in the month included National Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation signings in Hardeman and Chester Counties.
WRAP serves 15 counties in Tennessee. If you are in need of its services, please contact WRAP for help. You may learn more about WRAP.
