Candlelight vigil to promote domestic violence awareness

  • By Angela Bases of the Wooster Weekly News
  • October 12, 2009
  • 776
                        
Candles and purple balloons trailing down Spink St., across Liberty St., and ending at the gazebo on Market St. on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m., will represent the battle against domestic violence. That same battle thrives on awareness and support and, of course, the trademark purple ribbon assists in the efforts. Every Woman’s House has been promoting the end of domestic violence for years, and its candlelight vigil, which falls right in the middle of domestic violence awareness month, will give citizens the opportunity to show up and march with other supporters. “The vigil is for anybody who wants to participate. We’re asking for anybody who has a connection to domestic violence, or anybody who wants to be involved. We feel that it’s a community issue, and we feel that the more people we get involved the more awareness we have,” explained Paula Shearer, Every Woman’s House shelter manager and coordinator of the vigil. Survivors and family members reap the benefits of vigils as well. According to Gina Patterson, clinical director at Every Woman’s House, vigils can be a very healing process. “It raises awareness,” Patterson added. “It puts faces to the people that are affected by domestic violence. I would say that there’s probably not anyone on this earth that hasn’t been, in some way, affected by domestic violence; either having a friend, or family member, or a coworker that has been touched by domestic violence. Being aware of that and not letting that be a secret [is important], because secrets are how abuse perpetuates. Bringing it out in the open through a vigil is one step in ending domestic violence.” The vigil is one of several activities Every Woman’s House will be putting on in the month of October. The month was kicked off with a purple ribbon-making party. After putting the ribbons together, they were placed in small cups and distributed in businesses across Wayne and Holmes counties. Community members can then pin them to their clothing as a constant reminder to end domestic violence and raise awareness. “It’s one of those hidden crimes because it happens behind closed doors. Nobody wants to talk about it,” Shearer continued. “It also includes child abuse and it includes elder abuse. It includes all the abuse that happens in a family.” After marching downtown, refreshments will be provided at the gazebo and there will be a guest speaker. Anyone who would prefer to meet at the gazebo rather than walk down is more than welcome to do so. Those who would like to march should meet at Every Woman’s House at about 6:45 p.m.


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