Shelton Candlelight Vigil Remembers Domestic Violence Victims, Survivors

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- The Center for Family Justice in Bridgeport, in cooperation with local community leaders and law enforcement, has planned a series of six candlelight vigils to commemorate the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

At each vigil, names of the 12 victims of domestic violence homicides in the year throughout Connecticut will be read in a solemn honor roll.
Photo Credit: *Hans Splinter at Flickr*

Ken Davis

10/03/2016 4:30 a.m.

These vigils serve to honor those who have been impacted by domestic violence, raise awareness and inspire hope that the cycle of violence can be broken, according to a release from CFJ.

They also serve to remind local residents that domestic violence can and does happen in every demographic and every community CFJ serves, the release said.

All the vigils will begin at 6 p.m. The schedule for the vigils is the following:

Monday, Oct. 3 - Easton Community Center, Easton.
Tuesday, Oct. 4 - Stratford Town Hall, 2725 Main St., Stratford.
Wednesday, Oct. 5 - University of Bridgeport, Student Center.
Thursday, Oct. 6 - Monroe Town Hall Green, Monroe.
Thursday, Oct. 13 - Town Gazebo, Sherman Green, Fairfield.
Tuesday, Oct. 18 - Nichols Improvement Association, Trumbull.

At each vigil, the names of the 12 victims of domestic violence homicides in the year throughout Connecticut will be read in a solemn honor roll.

Following the honor roll, community leaders and Debra A. Greenwood, CFJ’s President and CEO, will join together to speak about their hope that the statistics on domestic violence can and will improve with continued dedication to serving and protecting victims and educating the public about awareness and prevention, according to the release.

“While vigils are by their nature solemn, we also consider them hopeful celebrations,” said Greenwood. “We gather together to express our heartfelt belief that by joining together in solidarity we can make great strides in ending the abusive cycles that impact individuals and families in every community we serve.”

Greenwood added that the vigils also serve the purpose of allowing victims to know that at CFJ there is a safe place, close to their homes, for them to receive free and comprehensive services. These services include free counseling and emergency shelter.

The Center for Family Justice Inc. (formerly The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County Inc.), brings all domestic, sexual and child abuse services – crisis intervention, police, prosecutors, civil/legal providers, counseling – under one roof, in its Bridgeport headquarters.

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