One in three women in Utah will experience domestic violence, compared to one in four nationwide, according to the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition.
The Center for Women and Children in Crisis will hold a candlelight vigil to honor victims of domestic violence on Monday, October 29 at 7 p.m. at Utah Valley University’s Reflection Center, located in the Student Wellness Building.
The Center for Women and Children in Crisis offers support groups, counseling, secure shelter and other programs in an effort to end the loss of life from domestic violence in Utah, according to their website.
The candlelight vigil also follows the Oct. 22 murder of University of Utah student Lauren McCluskey by her ex-boyfriend, which the Center for Women and Children in Crisis stated on Facebook as “Another tragic and unnecessary loss of life of a promising young woman to domestic violence.”
Dennis Hansen, director of the Center for Women and Children in Crisis, will offer the opening remarks of the candlelight vigil, followed by other speakers who will discuss domestic violence in Utah.
“We are happy to announce that our main speaker will be Brian Parnell, the Domestic Violence Program administrator for the Utah Department of Human Services,” Hansen said.
Parnell, a licensed social worker for Utah Department of Human Services, supports programs that provide emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence.
All participants will be given candles to carry on a walk around UVU campus in remembrance of those who have been affected by domestic violence.
To donate, volunteer or receive more information about the CWIC, visit their website.
