Candlelight vigil set for October 13

The vigil, part of domestic violence awareness month, will be held from 7-8 p.m. on the steps of the old Barrow County Courthouse. This is the tenth year Peace Place has hosted the event.

Sai Herr-Le, volunteer coordinator for Peace Place, said the purpose of the vigil is to honor victims who have survived domestic violence and remember those who have died at the hands of their abusers.

Peace Place was established in 2000 and certified by the Georgia Department of Human Resources.

The emergency shelter has aided over 1,200 women and children since its opening. Peace Place provides housing, individual counseling, legal advocacy and other services for women in Jackson, Banks and Barrow County.

“Whatever they need, that is what we are here for,” Herr-Le said.

Herr-Le said the purpose of the October 13 vigil is to increase awareness of domestic violence.

“We want to let people know that this is happening out there and it is not something you need to be embarrassed about,” she said. “We need to stop the violence that is happening in homes and everywhere else that people are not acknowledging.”

Herr-Le hopes that victims who are abused will come forward and get help.

“It is a chance for victims to come forward and say ‘I am a victim. I need your help’,” she explained.

For more information about Peace Place, visit www.peaceplaceinc.org or call 1-800-33HAVEN (42836).