The Children of Domestic Violence

Every year 5 million US children are exposed to domestic violence.  These children are facing and overcoming obstacles every day that other children never have to face.  "Traumatized children who have made progress report having had contact with at least one supportive adult: a teacher who took special interest in them, a neighbor, an aunt, even a school bus driver." - Dr. Bruce Perry

THE CHILDREN NEXT DOOR, a documentary directed by Doug Block, executive-produced by Brian F. Martin, and produced by Lynda A. Hansen, is a unique and powerful look at domestic violence that recounts the fear and pain through the eyes of children. It’s a young family’s journey to uncover the truth that lies beneath the cycle of violence and the solution to end it.

Raised in households ripped by domestic violence, Penny and Brad Waldroup vowed when they fell in love to end the cycle. After a ten-year marriage plagued by waves of mounting violence, all in front of their four young children, Brad’s outbursts culminated one horrific night, when he attacked Penny with a gun and machete and murdered her best friend.

A panel discussion will follow with special guests,

Brian F. Martin, CEO and Founder of the organization Children of Domestic Violence.  As a child, Brian experienced childhood domestic violence – domestic violence that takes place in the presence of a child.   At the age of seven, he made a promise to do everything he could to end childhood domestic violence and its impact.

Now, a successful entrepreneur in the marketing and media space, Brian sought a way to help others like him who have experienced childhood domestic violence.  In the U.S. alone, 40 million adults were children of domestic violence and at least 5 million children live with domestic violence each year.  Brian’s mission for increased awareness and solid, reliable, impactful solutions that could ultimately help as many people as possible led him to establish Children of Domestic Violence (CDV) in 2012. Click here for complete bio.

Renesia Martin, was born in Chicago, Illinois.  For more than two decades, Renesia  has used her leadership and strategic insights to lead, reorganize and implement major organizational changes at Fortune 100 companies. In the business sector she is known for her results orientation, learning agility and development of other leaders.  As a student athlete, Renesia received her baccalaureate degree in journalism and a certificate of business administration from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.

Giving back to the community is one of Renesia’s passions and she has served as a volunteer at various nonprofit organizations. But for most of Renesia’s life she was keeping her families secret, the secret of domestic violence. After going through a process of making peace with her past family secrets, she is now fighting to bring about greater awareness concerning the impacts of childhood domestic violence. She has written and published her first book, “Don’t Hit My Mama!” 

“Don’t Hit My Mama!” is an emotionally riveting and compelling memoir, where Renesia describes what it was like, from a child’s perspective to grow up in a domestic violent home.  She also reveals, from an adult perspective the process she went through to find healing and wholeness first to herself, and secondly to her family.

Heather Duhachek, MS, LIMHP, PLADC has worked in the human services field for over 13 years.  In 2011 her three children watched as their father beat and stomped her in the hallway of his apartment nearly ending her life.  While Heather’s injuries have healed, the impact of this event remained for her children.  With counseling for the kids--Heather's family is healing.

Heather has made it her mission to help families like hers.  She has a master's degree in Community Counseling and serves on the board of directors for the Domestic Violence Council as well as the Nebraska Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Coalition.  Heather is founder and CEO of, Generation Hope Counseling. 

Ryan Alan Suhr, MS, LIMHP, LPC is the Statewide Administrator of Children Services for Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska.  He oversees Prevention and Early Intervention, Permanency and Well Being, and Children’s Behavioral Health Programs. He previously served as the Clinical Supervisor of LFS Children Services therapists and has worked in clinical and academic appointments since 2003.

Lutheran Family Services-  For the past year and a half, through its work with the  Breakthrough Series Learning Collaborative of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network entitled “Using the NCTSN Core Curriculum to enhance trauma informed assessment and Case Formulation,” Lutheran Family Services has incorporated the 12 Core Concepts of Child trauma into all of its Children Services programs as a mode of case supervision and as a way to provide a common language  for specialists working with all aspects of child maltreatment and childhood trauma.  Lutheran Family Services

Networking begins at 6:30pm  |  Event begins promptly at 7pm. 

We apologize, due to the auditorium layout we are not able to accommodate late arrivals.

Tickets for the film and discussion are $25. 

This event has been approved for continuing education credit by CASA of Douglas County

Seating is limited so purchase your tickets early.

Please join us for a private reception with Brian and Renesia

A private reception with Brian and Renesia will be held 5:30 - 6:30pm in Aksarben Village.  We hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to personally greet Brian Martin and Renesia Martin.

Tickets for the private reception are $75.    Food, beverage and reserved seating for the film and panel discussion are included.   

Tickets for both events are avialable through advance purchase ONLY.  Register Now!