The Avalon Center hosts a candlelight vigil in Spencer on Thursday to remember the lives lost to domestic violence.
Avalon Center Domestic Violence Court Advocate Andrew Harsanyi said the vigils are part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Harnsanyi said it is important for the community to understand people continue to lose their loves to domestic violence.
“As recent as 2022, 165 Tennesseans, not nationwide, it is strictly in Tennessee, where killed to domestic violence-related homicides,” Harsanyi said. “And again, these are not just statistics. These are your neighbors, your friends, parents, children, and lives that should never have been cut short, but unfortunately were.”
Harsanyi said each candle will represent a life that was lost to domestic violence. Harsnayi said when seeing the number of candles, most people are shocked and come to the realization that domestic violence happens in their community.
“A lot of people say, ‘Well, that doesn’t happen here,’ and it absolutely does, you just don’t hear about it,” Harsanyi said. “So when it’s really brought to light and brought to the surface, that we as a community need to come together a lot better and work on this problem.”
Harsanyi said between three and five victims lost their lives to domestic violence in Cumberland and Fentress County this year alone. Harsanyi said the Avalon Center wants the vigil to renew the community commitment to ending domestic violence. Harsanyi said communities can help by first being educated on domestic violence.
“Knowing the right thing is the first step to doing the right thing,” Harsanyi said. “Then it goes to looking to left and right, remaining vigilant. If you see an issue, have that education to go about it the right way, and then actually seek good, meaningful resolution.”
Harsanyi said domestic violence often happens when a person desires power over another. Harsanyi said communities can help victims by reminding them that they have control of their situation.
The candlelight vigil will be located at 100 B Maynard Road and will start at 5:30pm. The Avalon Center will also hold candlelight vigils in Crossville on October 28 and Jamestown on October 30.
