As October blows in with its spooky festivities, The Center for Women and Children in Crisis wants to remind the public that it is also Domestic Abuse Awareness Month. According to the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, out of the 1.5 million women in Utah, one in three – almost 500,000 – will experience abuse at some time in her life. A candlelight vigil, supported by the center, is scheduled for Monday, October 24 at 7 p.m. Located at Utah Valley University, the event will support survivors and remember victims of domestic abuse. The vigil will be held at the Reflection Center, in the Student Wellness Building and candles will be provided. The public is invited and encouraged to participate.
Special guest, Dr. Susan R. Madsen, will address the crowd during the vigil. A world-renowned domestic violence awareness speaker, Dr. Madsen is also the Orin R. Woodbury Professor of Leadership and Ethics in the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University. Having published multiple books, articles, chapters and reports, Dr. Madsen has researched women’s issues on a local and global scale. She has also presented at the United Nations NGO sessions, The New York Times and the House of Commons in England, as well as in countries around the world.
The Center for Women and Children in Crisis is a local organization serving Utah communities and helping victims of domestic violence. Every year approximately 80 Utah children witness the murder or attempted murder of their parents. The center is a safe place for survivors of domestic violence to find support, advocacy, therapy and shelter. With two locations, The Center for Women and Children in Crisis administers these programs to Utah, Wasatch and Juab counties.
The vigil will be held at Utah Valley University, 800 W University Parkway, Orem on October 24 at 7 p.m.
To donate, volunteer or for more information on the vigil, click here.
-Brieanna Olds
