By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Del Rio residents are invited to attend a candlelight vigil on Monday, Oct. 6, to honor the
victims of domestic violence and to raise awareness of the ongoing toll domestic violence
takes on the community.
The 15 th Annual Domestic Violence Candlelight Vigil will be held from 6 to 7:30
p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, at the Enchanted Event Center, 4934 U.S. Highway 90.
This year’s event will be hosted by BCFS Health and Human Services, the Wintergarden
Women’s Shelter, Del Rio Police Department, Val Verde County Sheriff’s Office, the
Val Verde County Attorney’s Office and the 63 rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Those attending the candlelight vigil are encouraged to wear purple “as a symbol of unity
against domestic violence.”
The keynote speaker for the event will be Rosie Martinez CA DVT, Coordinated
Response and Safety Strategies Director, Texas Council on Family Violence.
Alejandro Cervantes, crime victims advocate for the Val Verde County Attorney’s
Office, said he hopes everyone will set aside time to attend the ceremony.
Cervantes told The 830 Times, “Domestic violence invades every community,
neighborhood and family in this country. Chances are, every person reading this article
has a family member, friend or co-worker that is in an abusive relationship or has gone
through one themselves.
“Statistically, one in five girls and one in 10 boys will either be physically abused or
sexually assaulted once in their lives. Every nine seconds someone is beaten or raped in
this country. Every three hours a person loses their life to domestic violence in the United
States.
“So, this event is about you and your family and your community. We do not have to
accept this brutality; we cannot simply tolerate this evil as ‘normal.’ This year’s theme,
marking the 15 TH Annual Candlelight Vigil in our community, is
‘Tomorrow is not
guaranteed.’ We implore all the residents of Val Verde County to take a united stand
against the demon that is domestic violence by attending this tremendously meaningful
event.
“Please come; come to remember those who tragically lost their lives but yet still shine
on in our hearts and souls; just as meaningful, come and get educated and informed so
you too can join the battle against domestic violence,” Cervantes said.
For more information about the event, contact Alida Helgerman at (830)768-2755.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com .
