There are times when it takes a little light to show us how deep the darkness is around us.
On Oct. 24, a memorial march will be held in the memory of people who have lost their lives to domestic violence. The candlelight march will be accompanied by several speeches and artistic tributes to the victims of domestic abuse.
This is Domestic Violence Solutions’ 24th domestic violence awareness vigil. Terri Zuniga started the event in 1988 as part of Peace Week.
“It’s a physical demonstration of what the cost of domestic abuse is,” Zuniga said.
And the cost is high. According to domesticviolencestatistics.org, one in three women worldwide has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused during her lifetime. Even worse, the abuser is often a member of her own family.
The vigil will start at 5:30 p.m. A quick speech will be given at Santa Maria City Hall prior to the start of the march. Participants will then walk from City Hall to Ethel Pope Auditorium at Santa Maria High School carrying candles, banners, and posters decrying the daily abuse that occurs in the shadows.
Other tributes will include clotheslines of T-shirts that have been painted by domestic violence survivors and red silhouettes called “silent witnesses.” These life-sized silhouettes will be accompanied by a shield with the victim’s story written on it—stories like that of a woman, who, after relocating to Arizona, was stabbed to death by her husband. Both the silhouettes and the T-shirts will be placed around Santa Maria to bring the community face to face with the tragic epidemic.
Speakers will include Judge Rogelio Flores, Director of Residential Programs North County Kim Barnett, and DVS Executive Director Richard Kravetz. Also, Operations Commander Craig Ritz and Sgt. Clyde George from the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department will be helping with the reading of victims’ stories.
All of this is being done in memory of the men, women, and children who have been murdered in the last 10 years, and to recognize members of the community who are dedicating their efforts to ending the inter- generational cycle of violence.
There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding the topic of domestic violence. The vigil aims to help illuminate the truth and strengthen people experiencing domestic violence.
All members of the community are encouraged to attend, to share, to learn, and to provide a little more light to illuminate the darkness.
Intern Michael McCone compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 13-20, 2011.