To those who assisted and participated in our 10th annual Candlelight Vigil for Victims of Domestic Violence on Oct. 2, Dotti Honsey and I would like to extend our thanks and our gratitude at the level of participation of members of our community in this event. The rain made things more difficult, and we were all aware of the cold, but we were so proud to see the turnout, despite the weather, for people from our community to join together in remembering and honoring those who have died in the last year as a result of domestic violence.

We also want to remind everyone that this month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This is a good time to have a discussion with your family about what it means to have healthy rules, boundaries and healthy responses to problems in our daily lives. We desire our children to grow with respect, empathy and civility toward others, and to know what damage living in violent environments does to the people in them, especially the lasting damage to our children. Please keep the loss of 38 lives in 2013; the women and men, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters in your hearts and minds and don’t be silent to this abuse. The future of your children depends on this.

Special thanks goes to Freeborn County law enforcement, Albert Lea Fire Department, Lt. Jeff Strom, Lt. Ben Mortenson, Group Support Services, Choose Civility committee and Saville Lord, Hy-Vee, Crescendo, Gilbert Johnson and the Rev. Kaleb Hurley of Hope Church.

For our event next October, we would like to see continued community effort and those who regularly participate, as well as our local city and government officials. If you have feedback, or opinions for next fall’s event, please feel free to contact us at Crime Victims Crisis Center!

 

Andrea Mauer

Freeborn County Crime Victims Crisis Center

Albert Lea