Community members unite, observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Above: Debbie Carlson affixes a purple ribbon to a tree on the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn for National Unity Day, marking the beginning of October and National Domestic Violence Awareness month. T-shirts created by survivors hang on a nearby clothesline.

Members of law enforcement, survivors, families who have lost loved ones and other supporters gathered near the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn on Monday as part of National Unity Day, which marks the beginning of October and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

A clothesline project displaying t-shirts painted by survivors was a solemn reminder of the effects of domestic violence. Twenty-nine balloons were released following a short speech by Martha Sander, executive director of the Council on Families in Crisis, which sponsors the Moss House.  Sander spoke to a group of about 20 people, who each held a balloon bearing the name of a local victim who has died as a result of domestic abuse. 

“Statistically, averaged out, a woman is battered in the United States every nine seconds,” she said. “It is estimated that somewhere between three and 10 million children witness domestic violence in their homes each year.” Sander went on to explain the wide gap in the numbers. “The truth is, we don’t know how many children live with domestic violence because we don’t have any idea how often it occurs in the home. Domestic violence is the silent crime.”

“We are here for awareness,” continued Sander, “to create a visible presence in our community - a reminder that we stand with survivors. We are charged with change - social change. The kind of change that ends the killing of innocent people and children; the kind that creates safety at home; the kind that hold offenders, not their victims, accountable for their actions.”

Balloons were then released, one at a time, after each person holding one read the name of the person being represented. Following the balloon release, purple and white flowers were placed at the marker which honors area crime victims. Sander encourages those who need help or knows someone who needs help to contact the 24-hour crisis hotline: 1-800-398-4271.