Domestic Violence Solutions (DVS) invites the community to attend upcoming annual Candlelight Vigils in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and support of intimate partner violence victims. DVS is a full-service provider of 24-hour emergency shelter and services for domestic violence victims in Santa Barbara County.
Every year since 1987, October has been set aside to bring awareness to the prevalent societal issue of domestic violence. The shocking facts are: One in three women and one in four men will be victims of intimate partner violence in their lifetimes.
Throughout October, DVS hosts and participates in candlelight vigils in Lompoc, Santa Maria and Santa Barbara. The community can join in honoring domestic violence survivors at the following vigils:
• Thursday, Oct. 10, in Lompoc at Centennial Park: Vigil ceremony at 6 p.m., followed by a candlelit memorial walk.
• Thursday, Oct. 17, in Santa Maria at Ethel Pope Auditorium in Santa Maria High School at 6:30 p.m. Meet and mingle, 5 p.m. at City Hall. Handmade burritos provided by Lideres Campesinas. Memorial Walk starts at City Hall at 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 24, in Santa Barbara at Paseo Nuevo: Community Resource Fair at 4 p.m.; pizza provided by Rusty’s Pizza Parlor; vigil ceremony, 6 p.m., Memorial Walk, 6:30 p.m.
“Intimate partner violence is a silent epidemic,” said Jan Campbell, executive director of Domestic Violence Solutions. “Due to shame and fear, victims are hesitant to seek the support they need. We need to come together as a community to say ‘no more’ to violence and abuse.”
Domestic Violence Solutions is dedicated to ending the cycle of domestic violence by providing prevention and intervention services, emotional support and advocacy to those in crisis, and playing a leadership role in effecting social change.
For more information, to make a donation or to learn about upcoming events, contact Julia Black, juliab@dvsolutions.org or visit www.dvsolutions.org. DVS 24-Hour Crisis and Information Line: 805-963-4458.
— Julia Black for Domestic Violence Solutions.