By Catherine Smith
Thelma Soares, mother of Lori Hacking, a Salt Lake woman killed by her husband in July 2004, spoke at a candlelight vigil honoring victims of violence at Utah Valley State College on Thursday.
Soares offered comfort to those who have been affected by violence.
?My heart goes out to anybody who are abused in anyway,? Soares said. ?It?s beyond me how anyone can abuse a child or anyone they supposedly loved.?
Soares thanked all those who helped in the search for Lori. She also praised the Salt Lake Valley Police, called them her heroes and thanked them for never giving up looking for her only daughter.
She encouraged strength to those who are being abused and urged them to get help.
?If you have any suspicion please do something to find out or leave while you can,? Soares said. ?People care about those that are being abused.?
The vigil was part of the Clothesline project honoring those who are victims of abuse and violent attacks. The project is affiliated with UVSC and the Women?s Resource Center.
The Clothesline project is complied of T-shirts with the stories of those who are victims of violence. These T-shirts provide the stories of those affected by violent abuse. The T-shirts are all different colors with each color representing a different survivor. The colors range from white, someone who died as a result of a violent attack, to red, someone who survived rape or sexual assault.
One red T-shirt read:
?I now forgive you and that gives me the power. You have nothing over me anymore.?
Both survivors and families of those who did not survive can make shirts to provide an outlet for healing.
?The Clothesline project has touched many of the lives of those involved,? said Peggy Pasin, Program Coordinator of the Women?s Resource Center at UVSC.
The project provides opportunities for people to learn about violent abuse and the affects on many individuals.
?Violent abuse is more prevalent in this area than I ever expected,? Pasin said.
Vigils, such as the one held on Thursday, are enlightening for those who care about the issue of violence as they provide information for those who may be more ignorant of the issue.
?It helps people that are having problems recognize it and get help,? said Chris Davenport, a UVSC student from Orem. ?I think it?s [abuse] a horrible thing. It?s the worst thing you can do to someone.?
The Clothesline project represents people airing their dirty laundry, Pasin said.
The Clothesline displayed in the Quad at UVSC closed Saturday, but will return again in April as well as travel to communities and schools.
Those wishing to help out with the Clothesline project can volunteer by contacting the Women?s Resource Center at UVSC.
