Domestic violence victims honored at candle light vigil

The House of Hope remembered and honored the victims of domestic violence at the 18th annual House of Hope Domestic Crisis Shelter Candle Light/Walk and Vigil on Oct. 24.

Shortly after 6 p.m. the event began with Howard Henderson, from KDAP Radio, reading the House of Hope’s Mission statement at City Hall.

Approximately 70 participants then walked from City Hall to Castro Park, located between D and E Avenues and 10th St.

Music was provided by Jovenes Lideres Cristianos Parroquia De Nestra Señora de Guadalupe during the walk.

Once at Castro Park, Mayor Danny Ortega Jr. read the proclamation.

“According to a common wealth survey, from January 2011 to September 2012, 68 people died in Arizona in a domestic violence related incident. From January 2003 to September 2012, 1001 people in our state lost their lives related to domestic violence,” he read. “Female crime victims are twice as likely to be injured by an offender that is domestic partner then it be a stranger. Domestic violence has taken the lives of our friends, colleagues, and family members and affects our entire community. The health and well-being of women and children must be and shall always be one of our community’s highest priorities.”

Mayor Ortega proclaimed the month of October 2012 to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Pastor Fernando Betancourt from the Ministerios Tierra De Bendicion delivered the invocation.

“Lord this day and night there are people living in fear and pain. Children, women and yes men too, for who home is not a place of peace but of terrible violence. Bring your strength to all victims of domestic abuse. Help them find their inner courage to reach out call for help and find a place where they can begin to heal,” he said. “Help us to be instrumental with your peace and to assist the victims in finding safety and hope for a better future. Lord may your protected love enfold all who suffer and bring them from these dark days and nights. From now on may your light out shine any doubt, despair or hurt and bring these dear ones through their trials to the kindness and goodness they justly deserve.”

Keynote speaker for the event was 2012 China Poblana Francine Cornejo who shared her experience with domestic violence and how she overcame the tragic incident in her life.

“I am proud to say I am a survivor of domestic violence and my mother is as well. Do not tolerate such behavior if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence seek help immediately,” Cornejo said. “No one deserves to be in that type of relationship. I am proud to say I no longer know how it feels to be in that type of relationship because I am engaged to a wonderful man.”

The event ended with a reading of the 68 victim’s names of domestic violence by Aseneth Robles a worker for the House of Hope and the releasing of 68 balloons in their honor.

Domestic violence victims can be of any age, sex, race, culture, religion, education, employment or marital status. Although both men and women can be abused, most victims are women. Children in homes where there is domestic violence are more likely to be abused and or neglected.

“Seek help, we at the House of Hope can help you,” Robles said.