Fairfield Candlelight Vigil to Focus Attention on Domestic Abuse

Bridgeport, Ct. – The Center for Family Justice, with the support of Fairfield community leaders and law enforcement, has scheduled a vigil to mark the observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month for Thursday, Oct 12.

This vigil, which will take place at 6 p.m. at the Sherman Green gazebo, will honor those who have been impacted by intimate partner violence, raise awareness and inspire hope that the cycle of violence can be broken. The vigil will also remind local residents that domestic violence--which national statistics suggest impacts one out of three women in their lifetime—is a problem in every demographic and community CFJ serves.

The Fairfield vigil will include a solemn reading of the names of the 16 people who lost their lives to domestic violence in Connecticut in 2016. 

Debra A. Greenwood, CFJ’s President and CEO, will join community leaders, including First Selectman Mike Tetreau and Police Chief Gary MacNamara, to speak to their hope that the statistics on domestic violence improve with continued dedication to protecting victims and educating the public about prevention. A local survivor of domestic violence will also talk about her experiences.

 “These vigils are solemn, but we also intend for them to be incredibly hopeful and inspiring,” said Greenwood. “We believe that whenever communities comes together to share their commitment to ending the cycles of domestic violence and abuse, real and positive change can and does happen.” 

Greenwood noted the vigils also serve the purpose of allowing victims to know that at CFJ there is a safe place, close to home, where they can receive free and comprehensive services. These services include free counseling and emergency shelter.  “Every year, I hear a story at a vigil from someone in attendance who feels compelled to come forward with their experiences with domestic violence because of the support they feel at our vigils,” Greenwood said. “That tells me how important it us for us to gather together to hold these events.” 

Besides the Oct. 12 Fairfield vigil, CFJ has six other vigils scheduled in the local communities it serves. Each begins at 6 p.m. 

  • Monday, October 2: Bridgeport Police Headquarters, Bridgeport
  • Tuesday, October 3: Monroe Town Hall Gazebo
  • Wednesday, October 4: Trumbull Library
  • Thursday, October 5:  University of Bridgeport Student Center.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 10: Stratford Town Hall
  • Wednesday, Oct. 11: Easton Community Center

These vigils are appropriate for all ages and are open to the public.  

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR FAMILY JUSTICE

The Center for Family Justice Inc. (formerly The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County Inc.), brings all domestic, sexual and child abuse services – crisis intervention, police, prosecutors, civil/legal providers, counseling – under one roof, in our headquarters in Bridgeport, CT. Together, we work to break the cycle of violence by helping those in crisis restore their lives. Although our name has changed, we continue with the work we have provided for 12 decades, providing free, confidential, bilingual crisis services in Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford and Trumbull. It is the comprehensive services our partners are providing that are streamlining the road to healing and self-sufficiency. 

Within the past year, The Center answered more than 1000 calls on a 24-hour crisis hotline; assisted with the civil and criminal court processes for more than 2,500 survivors of domestic violence; responded to more than 500 survivors of sexual assault and their families; provided a safe home for more than 100 women and children fleeing domestic abuse; coordinated the investigations of more than 170 cases of child sexual and severe physical abuse, developing service plans for the young survivors and their families; and provided psycho-educational support to more than 1,200 survivors of domestic violence, planning for their safety and promoting self-sufficiency. 

As part of our mission, The Center educates approximately 4,000 members of the community about the issues of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse to prevent future violence and spread the word that about the services we offer at The Center for Family Justice. Annually, we teach more than 2,000 children and teens about building healthy relationships, bullying prevention and dating violence.

For more information, visit www.CenterForFamilyJustice.org.

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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