Solano Ceremony Remembers Victims of Violence
October 29, 2011
By By Melissa Murphy

A somber and yet celebratory ceremony Friday morning remembered victims of domestic violence in Solano County in the past year and recognized those who are survivors.

The annual Day of Remembrance was an effort of the Solano County Office of Family Violence Prevention, Solano Family Justice Center, Lift3 Support Group and the Solano Partnership Against Violence.

Among the key speakers was Vic Jenkins, who last year for the first time shared his story, recalling Mother's Day 2009 when he had called to check on his daughter who lived in Las Vegas.

Jenkins said his daughter Robin Jenkins, 45, had a restraining order against her boyfriend, but for some reason was at the house anyway.

The last thing he heard from his daughter's mouth was a scream like none he had ever heard before as his daughter was murdered by her abuser.

"Even after I tell this story several times, I still tear up. It's the worst experience of my life," Jenkins said.

It was six months after her death that Jenkins made a decision.

"I committed to speak out," he said. "I'm a victim and I found out how common this story is. I know we're all touched by this type of violence. There is a culture of violence we've become accustomed to, but we have to speak out and share our stories."

Jenkins challenged everyone in attendance to use their talents to battle the issues.

California Senator Lois Wolk was awarded the first Robin Jenkins Memorial Award for her leadership and being a tireless advocate for the prevention of domestic violence.

"She's shown incredible leadership to bring much needed funding to Solano County," said Carolyn Wold with the Office of Family Violence Prevention.

"I accept it humbly," Wolk said. "This truly was a partnership and a very active one. I accept it humbly on behalf of all of you who make it happen."

Vacaville resident Myles Dixon also shared the tragic story of how is brother died.

Very calmly, Dixon explained that in 1986 his stepfather at the time returned to get his things after being kicked out of the house. Myles, 12, and his brother Ehren Dixon, 14, went to put on their shoes to help, but instead were stopped by gun shots. Myles was shot in the leg, but Ehren sustained a fatal blow to the chest and died three days later. Dixon's mother, Priscilla Dixon was shot in the arm.

Myles Dixon explained that the only sign he had seen of domestic violence was the verbal abuse from his stepfather after drinking.

"The verbal violence unfortunately escalated to death," he said.

Unlike today, Dixon said there was no place to get away from his stepfather.

"It wasn't easy to get out of the situation," he said. "I wouldn't have expected it to escalate to using a gun."

"We were a normal middle class family," Priscilla Dixon said. "This man had never been physical before."

The man that killed Dixon's brother is expected to be released from prison in the near future because he's been a model prisoner. Mother and son are not happy about it, but Priscilla Dixon says she is very proud of her son.

"Everyone would have given him a pass, he had an excuse to go down the wrong path," she said. "But he didn't. He needed to take charge of his own life. I couldn't be prouder."