By Norah McLaughlin | FāVS News Reporter
The Spokane YWCA will host a community vigil Oct. 1 at Riverfront Park to honor domestic violence victims and celebrate survivors as Spokane County kicks off Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a call to action.
“This whole month for us is a time to call attention to the issue of domestic violence,” Jemma Riedel-Johnson, of the Spokane YWCA, said. “To spread that awareness of the issue, but then also to move people into a place of action.”
This event will feature speakers from the community including Mayor Lisa Brown, YWCA CEO Jeanette Hauck and representatives from organizations including Stop the Silence Spokane, Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition, and others.
Starting the conversation
This vigil will be in tandem with an art installation along the story walk. The storywalk will display poetry and prose written by domestic violence survivors. Their stories have been paired with art created by local artists to start the conversation about domestic violence in our community, said Riedel-Johnson.
“The purpose of this vigil is to help bring the community together to recognize and honor lives that have been lost to domestic violence,” Riedel-Johnson said. “But then also to celebrate the strength of survivors and come together to really call for that change.”
Spokane County has one of the highest reported rates of domestic violence in Washington, according to the press release. One in three women and one in four men will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
“This event is important because domestic violence is not just a private issue, it is a community issue,” said Roshelle Cleland, the director of Advocacy and Education at Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW). “The vigil is an opportunity for us to come together, raise awareness and stand against violence in all of its forms.”
“Part of the vigil is going to include a moment of silence to just hold that space for those who cannot be with us today because of domestic violence,” Riedel-Johnson said.
YWCA vigil details
The community vigil will be Oct. 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Snxw Meneɂ Amphitheater, Riverfront Spokane.
The YWCA requests that people register in advance. Guests are encouraged to wear the color purple to show their support for domestic violence awareness, according to the press release. Purple is the color associated with DVAM because it is a symbol of peace, courage and honor for domestic violence survivors, according to Ascend Justice.
“I really appreciate places like the vigil because it breaks that silence and shines a light on the issue that thrives in isolation,” Cleland said.
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