Sound of Hope Vigil to Raise Awareness of Domestic Violence

The following press release was provided by Susan DeLeon:

BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services (UCDVS) will hold its 14th Annual Sound of Hope to recognize victims of domestic violence and celebrate survivors on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 from 1 pm to 2 pm at Long Wharf Pier, New Haven. 

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month; a time to educate the community about healthy relationships, change attitudes that support violence and recognize that domestic violence can be prevented. people with education about healthy relationships, and by changing attitudes that support violence. Every 9 seconds a woman in the US is assaulted or beaten. Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women – more than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined. In 2012, there were twelve reported homicides from intimate partner domestic violence in Connecticut. So far this year, 5 lives have been lost. (Source: CCADV).

Nancy Tyler, domestic violence survivor, is this year’s keynote speaker. Tyler is a practicing attorney with O’Brien, Tanski & Young, a broad-based civil litigation firm located in Hartford, CT. In July 2009, Richard Shenkman kidnapped his ex-wife, Nancy Tyler, at gunpoint, took her to the home they once shared, held police at bay for 13 hours, and then burned the house to the ground. Tyler currently works with domestic violence networks in Connecticut, hoping that her nightmare can be used as a teachable moment. She has been featured on the ABC News program 20/20 in addition to other media outlets.

Participants of the vigil will receive a flower to throw into the harbor. Each flower represents the hopes and struggles of the survivors as they work to end violence in their lives and also honors those whose lives have been lost due to domestic violence. Please RSVP by October 2 to (203) 736-2601 x1140.

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge. Each year, over 9,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help and hope. Learn more at bhcare.org.

BHcare is a regional community provider of behavioral health, addiction prevention, and domestic violence services for the Lower Naugatuck Valley, Greater New Haven and Shoreline communities.  For more information, visit bhcare.org.