Victims remembered at domestic violence awareness ceremony

Floyd Jernigan/Daily Mail Community members place a flower at the base of a memorial tree in remembrance of each victim.

Nevada Daily Mail

Community members, law enforcement, and family members of victims of domestic violence gathered Monday at noon on the courthouse lawn to raise awareness and remember loved ones.

The local ceremony is part of the national Day of Unity, held the first Monday in October. This is also part of the larger campaign in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Martha Sander (at right) offers the microphone to each person who was honoring a Vernon County victim of domestic violence. Each victim's name was read and a balloon launched. Floyd Jernigan/Daily Mail

Executive Director Martha Sander of the Council on Families in Crisis and Moss House (a shelter for victims) told those in attendance that, "Many victims don't get a chance to speak out or express themselves.

"And often, they don't get a chance to get out of their situation.

"This is a way for them to be present and be heard. While there is never an answer, this way we can say never again."

The awareness event included a balloon launch, the placing of a flower for each of Vernon County's victims at the base of a memorial tree, a display of photos of the victims, and a T-shirt art project by those touched by domestic violence titled the "Clothesline Project."

Purple ribbons, signifying domestic violence awareness, were prominent at the ceremony, as well as purple balloons. A number of those attending wore purple.

Recordings of the songs "Held" by Natalie Grant and "Me and Emily" by Rachel Proctor, were played. Both lyrics deal with the issue of domestic violence.

The reading of the names of each of those in Vernon County who have lost their lives to domestic violence and the launching of a balloon in their memory concluded the ceremony.