October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and a vigil Friday evening in Rhinelander needs volunteers to make known the victims of domestic violence homicides in Wisconsin.
Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault is hosting the vigil Friday evening at the Green Space at Trig's downtown.
Executive Director Shellie Holmes says the Wisconsin's annual domestic violence homicide report is also released in October....
"....last year we did a candlelight vigil that was very impactful with the community and we wanted to do that this year. This year's homicide report has 57 victims, but the total number of deaths, including the perpetrators was 73, which is the highest total we've ever had...."
Holmes says Wisconsin's numbers are above the nationwide average...
".....in Wisconsin we know we have a lot of domestic violence homicides compared to some other areas. We don't know why that is. We want to highlight it, but we also want to honor the victims who have lost their lives and their families who are grieving...."
Holmes says at Friday's candlelight vigil, community members read the names of the victims aloud, which Holmes says has a tremendous impact. Holmes says this is about the community coming together to light candles and remember the victims..
"...and to have everybody lined up end-to-end and you see how many people that really is. It leaves the impression that this affects everyone..."
Shellie Holmes says they need more volunteers to read names Friday evening. She asks you contact Tri-County Council to say you will be there to read a name in advance of the vigil. Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault is headquartered in Rhinelander and serves Oneida, Vilas and Forest counties.
We have contact information here: (p) 715-362-684, email: tricountycouncil@hotmail.com
