“In 70-80% of intimate partner homicides, no matter which partner was killed, the man physically abused the woman before the murder.”
–from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website
To honor victims of domestic violence, the UTC Women’s Center and Partnership’s Family Violence Center are co-sponsoring a candlelight walk to be held on Friday, October 28 at 7 p.m. The walk will begin at Heritage Plaza on campus, near the library stairs. Free parking is available on campus and no registration is required.
Walk participants will each light an honorary candle during opening remarks, and then walk along sidewalks from campus to Market Street and back to campus along 4th Street. Judge Christie Sell will be speaking briefly to begin the walk and a moment of silence will take place at the close of the walk in memory of those who lost their life to domestic violence.
A total of 92 domestic violence homicides were reported in Tennessee in 2010, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Additionally, Tennessee is fifth in the nation for having the highest domestic violence homicide rate.
“Partnership’s Family Violence Center and UTC Women’s Center want the community to know that domestic violence is serious and can even be fatal if help is not sought. The Center’s ‘Domestic Violence Kills’ campaign kicked off October 3rd, with temporary chalk messaging on the UTC campus. Resources will be available at the walk for those who need help or know someone who needs help,” said Sara Peters, UTC Women’s Center Director and Coordinator for Education and Advocacy.
Partnership’s Family Violence Center is celebrating 25 years of service to the community this year. The “Domestic Violence Kills” campaign will be promoted throughout the year in an effort to help people understand the serious consequences of domestic violence. The campaign asks the community to help stop violence and give hope to victims by sharing the 24-hour hotline through social media and traditional word of mouth, and by hosting domestic violence speakers at their church, civic, and business functions. More information can be found at www.StopViolenceGiveHope.org.
