More Vigils:
COMMEMORATING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Each October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM),
DVSN honors all Massachusetts residents whose lives were lost
to domestic violence over the past 12 months.
From October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, there were at least thirty-three deaths in MA.
Hear their stories as we light a candle in memory of each individual.
A recording of this live event is available to watch below:
Keynote: “Hope Shines a Light”
Speaker: Kishana Smith-Osei
Kishana Smith-Osei is the Executive Director at The Massachusetts Women of Color Network, which works to support and maintain the leadership of women of color working in the sexual assault and domestic violence movement in Massachusetts. Kishana is a dynamic leader who simply enjoys helping others and deeply values offering support that is authentic, ethical, intentional, helpful, and led by those she is serving. She has experience in advocacy, direct service, human resources, and nonprofit management. Kishana openly identifies as a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault, and she believes that ending violence is in the hands of all of us.
This is DVSN’s 23rd Candlelight Vigil that we hope helps to build awareness as we honor the 33 lives brutally lost to domestic violence in Massachusetts in the last 12 months.
Their stories show how the domestic terror they faced was complex, sinister, pervasive, and unrelenting. Each story is complex. Each life lost is tragic and preventable. Murder and suicide are frequently the manner in which these individuals were killed. Often it happens when the victim decides to leave, tries to leave, or has left – when the abusive partner is losing control and escalates to lethal means.
While the stories are dark and despairing, we also want to honor the ways in which these individuals showed strength and perseverance in trying to change their lives, in struggling to protect loved ones, in trying to do everything right for their children and others they loved. Even though they lost those battles, with great determination, they took the risk…they tried…they made the effort. Let’s not let their tragic outcomes obscure the fact that many of these individuals were truly heroic in their struggle to be free.
The stories are read by representatives from our advocates, our board, and our police and community partners – a wide array of colleagues who stand with us to witness and honor these lives lost.
