Annual domestic abuse vigil returns

Sixty-five.

That’s the number of items on a list that members of the Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services of Southwest Michigan read every October — a listing of the names of victims who lost their lives to domestic and sexual abuse in southwest Michigan over the past 40 years.

On Thursday, the organization, along with the Cass County Task Force on Family Violence, will host its annual Candlelight Vigil at 7 p.m. at Beckwith Park. As the name suggests, attendees will huddle together with lit candles during the ceremony, while a handful of people read off the names in the aforementioned list.

“October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so we hold the vigil to honor the people who have lost their lives and the victims and families who have survived domestic violence,” said DASAS Executive Director Kim Kramer.

Prior to the reading, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz will deliver a keynote speech. A small reception will close out the evening.

DASAS organizes two vigils every October in Cass and St. Joseph counties in order to help spread greater awareness of the impact that domestic violence has on families in the area. Between 40 and 50 people show up to each event, with new faces emerging every year, Kramer said.

“It’s a very somber event,” she said. “It’s provides a dose of reality, as you’re hearing these names while seeing their family members. It’s a pretty intense ceremony.”

DASAS staff will be in attendance throughout the evening, ready to provide support and advice for attendees who are affected by the ceremony or are in the midst of a domestic abuse situation themselves.

New to this year’s ceremony is a mask-making workshop, which takes place at 5:30 p.m., also at the park. Visitors will have the opportunity to create a mask, either for themselves or to represent a loved one, which will be used as part of their “Behind the Mask” theme the agency is using for its events this year, Kramer said.

These vigils are just one of several events the service organizes every year increase awareness about the issue. DASAS provides a range of support for local citizens suffering from domestic abuse situations, including their Hillman House emergency shelter in Three Rivers and 24-hour support hotline.

The entire community is invited to participate in the ceremony, as just one person’s support can go a long way in helping victims stand-up to their abusers, Kramer said.

“I think it sends a message to survivors that there are people pulling for them and that believe them, and they’re willing to make statement that domestic abuse is unacceptable,” Kramer said. “It creates an atmosphere that lets people know its ok to talk about it.”