Advocates of domestic violence prevention are coming together this week to host Albert Lea’s seventh annual Community Candlelight Vigil, aimed at honoring and celebrating the lives of people who have been affected by domestic violence.

The event begins at 5:45 p.m. Thursday in New Denmark Park with a butterfly release and program at 6 p.m.

Refreshments will be served.

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, organizers said they hope to raise awareness of domestic violence and to encourage people to react to it when they suspect it might be happening within the community.

“We’re hoping that an event like this lets people know there are a lot of people in the community who care and that there are many places in the community they can get help,” said Ilene Grosam with the Freeborn County Crime Victims Crisis Center.

She said in about half of the cases involving domestic violence, the victim and perpetrator are known to law enforcement, advocacy agencies, mental health centers or the medical community.

“But there’s still a lot of people who live with it in secrecy,” she said.

In 2010 in Minnesota, 28 people died as a result of domestic violence, according to the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women. This number includes women, men, children and other family members or friends.

In 2009, there were 25.

Grosam said while it is important to recognize the number of people who have lost their lives from being in a violent relationship, it is also important to celebrate those who have been able to climb out of situations of domestic violence.

“By remembering, it gives us the motivation to move forward and create positive changes,” she said.

Freeborn County United Way Director Ann Austin said it is a goal of the committee organizing the vigil to help people learn what healthy relationships are.

“People don’t have an understanding that it’s not OK to use certain language,” Austin said. “It’s not loving to be forceful. Somebody who’s pulling you around and trying to control your life is not someone who loves you.”

She said people should feel free in a relationship to truly be themselves.

Austin and Grosam said they want people to know that domestic violence does take place in the community and that it has long-term effects.

“It affects the whole fabric of the community,” Austin said.

They encouraged people to not be afraid of making a difference in the lives of those around them.

If you go

What: Community candlelight vigil
When: 5:45 p.m. Thursday
Where: New Denmark Park
Information: Call the Freeborn County Crime Victims Crisis Center at 377-5460.

Minnesota domestic violence deaths

2009:

• 12 women

• 10 children

• 1 man

• 2 family members or friends

2010:

• 15 women

• 7 children

• 2 men

• 4 family members or friends

— Information from the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women