Domestic Violence Vigil Brings Issue Home To Los Gatos

LOS GATOS, CA -- It could happen to any next door neighbor. More than 200 people gathered at the Jewish Community Center to shed some light on an American crisis that affects about every neighborhood -- including those that within California Sen. Jim Beall's 15th district of Los Gatos, Saratoga, San Jose, Campbell and Monte Sereno. The state senator was on hand in the gathering for the "Light Up the Night" ceremony Thursday night.

The ceremony in its seventh year is an annual remembrance brought on to commemorate Santa Clara County's victims and survivors of domestic violence. The county tallies 13 fatalities resulting from domestic violence every year.

"Obviously, it goes without saying that domestic abuse and sexual assault are hot topics now," said organizer Chris Paden, who serves on the board of directors for Next Door Solutions.

NDS fielded 15,000 calls to its hotline last year and noted a 56 percent increase in walk-in requests for crisis counseling. Case management inquiries have risen by 138 percent, so the problem is more perplexing year after year.

NDS offers a 24-hour crisis hotline at 408-279-2962.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. More information may be obtained at www.nextdoor.org.