Faith House to host candlelight vigil on courthouse steps for domestic abuse victims

By Cindy Triche

The brutal attack in the elevator has played endlessly in the media for weeks.
It’s a scene is all too familiar to many victims of violence. It has happened to them before, but it wasn’t televised. There was no commentator to offer insight on the most horrifying night of her life.
However, public opinion was provided continually and ruthlessly. Why does she stay? She must like the abuse. She provoked him. She deserves it. She’s a gold digger. She should leave. She needs to….
What is wrong with us? How can we watch a brutal assault that could have easily ended in murder, and blame the victim?
But we have blamed the victim and stood by silently for years and the result has been the same. Thousands of women are murdered each year. Women we have loved, called mother, sister, friend. Women we have accused of being the cause of the abuse.
Why are they being judged? Why aren’t we focusing on the real causes of violence and on helping victims rather than blaming them? Shouldn’t perpetrators be held to a higher level of accountability for their actions?
We have to do better! We cannot continue to watch these atrocities play over and over again in our communities. We cannot allow popular opinion to continue to oppress the victims living with this horror.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Take a stand with us for No more SILENCE, No more VIOLENCE!
The public is encouraged to attend a candlelight vigil on the Vermilion Parish Courthouse step on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 5:30 p.m.
The evening will be an inspiration and rememberance for all the women who experience domestic violence in their lifetime.