PORTSMOUTH - The stories of sexual harassment and violence are difficult to hear

PORTSMOUTH - The stories of sexual harassment and violence are difficult to hear.

Yet, speakers at the second annual "Ending Violence, Changing Lives" event hosted by Haven, encouraged the audience to just talk with one person about how help is available.

In July 2015, Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) and A Safe Place officially merged to better serve communities throughout Southeastern New Hampshire and those women, men and children affected by domestic and sexual violence.

"Now in our third year, we are emerging as the largest violence prevention and support services agency in New Hampshire," said Kathy Beebe, executive director of Haven, during the evening program held Thursday at the Portsmouth Harbor Events Center. "We continue to try to extend our reach."

Beebe said every day, Haven staff and volunteers are witness to an average of nine district court cases, two superior court cases and five emergency room hospital visits.

"The hotline averages 12 to 15 calls during a 24-hour period," she said.

In addition to the Safe Kids Program Haven offers in schools, it is piloting a new program on suicide prevention, an initiative with Exeter Hospital at the high school level.

During the evening Raymond police detective and former musician Rick Labell shared his very personal experience of survival.

His motivational speeches across the state take listeners through his journey as a child who experienced sexual abuse and domestic violence to a career in law enforcement.

Labell gives talks to teens called, "Yes, I Can."

"It gives them a positive mindset," he said. "There are three rules. One is to stay away from drugs, alcohol and violence. The second is to maintain a positive attitude and the third is to learn from your mistakes."

Labell was the speaker for a SASS breakfast five years ago. His revelation of his abusive childhood hit home with longtime Seacoast Media Group photographer Deb Cram who was working at the event.

She recalled sitting in her car afterwards and grabbing a piece of paper and writing down "frames" of scenes from her own childhood, leading to a play she worked on with local filmmaker Lars Trodson titled, "Click: A Journey of Abuse and Survival."

Cram spoke Thursday evening and said she was "speaking from the heart."

"I'm really pissed off," she said of the numbers of victims. "Move this forward. Just tell one person about Haven. That there is a place for them or someone they know to go to for help."

Guests at the event had an opportunity to take in a special photography exhibit featuring the personal experiences of local women and men who have survived domestic violence, dating violence, childhood sexual abuse and human trafficking.

Their journeys through healing are in their own words and captured through the powerful photography of Cram. This exhibit, "CourageSpeaks NH," is a moving collection that made its inaugural exhibit earlier this year at Flagg Hill Winery in Lee.

It is a collaboration of Cram's photography along with the YWCA in Manchester; Haven; Freedom Café in Durham; and Bags of Hope, an outreach ministry out of the Emmanuel Gospel Center founded by Jasmine Grace Marino, a survivor of trafficking.

One of the women in the exhibit, Andrea Lewy, a former board chairwoman of Haven, told her story publicly for the first time.

"I married my high school sweetheart," she said. "After 13 years and three children, I needed to tell someone I was being abused."

She tried the employee assistance program at work and looked for a support group, but in the late 1960s and early 1970s, help was not easily found.

"One night I felt like I was going to die," Lewy recalled. "I made an escape plan for me and my three girls to get out. I did it."

She became a volunteer at A Safe Place and said it felt good to be around "people who were passionate about what they were doing."

Lori Waltz-Gagnon, development director for Haven, said the organization took sixth place during the October Purple Purse challenge that included more than 100 organizations across the country.

Haven raised $30,932, and was awarded another $10,500 for being in sixth place. The goal is to be in the top seven.

During the event Thursday evening, Cram helped to spur on the guests to raise $6,650 in an auction-like fashion.

"Let people know about Haven," she said in closing.

Haven has 24-hour free and confidential support services available by calling 994-7233.