Candlelight Vigil Planned for Survivors of Domestic Violence

HAVEN and Wasco County Domestic Violence Council will gather with community partners to host “An Evening of Light” to honor survivors of domestic violence with a candlelight vigil on Tuesday, October 19th, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. The event will be virtual this year due to the pandemic. 

The purpose of the event, which has been held annually for over two decades in Wasco County, is to raise community awareness and work to end the silence and shame surrounding Domestic Violence.

“Domestic violence flourishes in the shadows...the vigil, held on Domestic Violence Awareness Day, is meant to shine a light on the epidemic that is domestic violence and put an end to it, so that all peoples can feel safe in their homes,” said Marcee Kukal Manning of HAVEN.

The event will include a PASSION presentation and speakers from the Wasco County Domestic Violence Council. Presentations include A Proclamation to End Domestic Violence delivered by Kara Davis and Lucy Guevara in English and Spanish, and Manning will read the poem Remember My Name written by Kimberly A. Collins.

During the Vigil, The Passion Award will also be presented to a community member who has shown a strong commitment and passion for working with survivors of domestic violence. 

In addition, and perhaps most importantly, survivors' stories and artwork will be shared by designated staff and survivors themselves. 

“We are looking forward to the voices and stories that our survivors so bravely share. In past years, adult survivors have bravely come forward to share their stories of survival and resilience and how domestic violence impacted their lives. This year the voices and stories of children and young people will be included with their stories being read. While these stories are heart-wrenching they are vital as they put a name, a face, a voice, to survivorship,” said Manning. 

“Attendees can expect an evening of support, encouragement, and solidarity for Domestic Violence survivors as their community stands with them in an effort to show them that we see them, we hear them, we believe them, and they are not alone,” said Manning.

“Our goal is to lift up and magnify the voices and experiences of survivors of domestic violence in an effort to spread awareness and put an end to domestic violence,” said Manning.

Attendees can call HAVEN at 541-296-1662 for more information and to receive the Vigil Zoom Link. 

About the Organizers 

The Wasco County Domestic Violence Council is currently chaired by Marcee Kukal Manning of HAVEN, includes Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill, TDPD Chief Thomas Worthy, Wasco County DA Matthew Ellis (DDA Kara Davis and VA James Barber), as well as representatives from Probation and Parole, Batterers Intervention, Legal Aid Services of Oregon, and the Oregon Department of Human Services. 

HAVEN (Help Against Violent Encounters Now!) is an advocacy organization for victims of domestic abuse, dating abuse, teen dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Click here to view recent reports on domestic violence rates in Oregon.