Womanspace To Light Up Lawrence Township For 22nd Communities of Light

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Nonprofit organization Womanspace, is holding the 22nd Annual Communities of Light on Monday. Thousands of flickering lights will line the streets at dusk, sending a message of support and solidarity to survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

The nonprofit serves women, men, and children affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.

On Monday at 5 p.m., Weeden Park, 2611 Main Street will be lit up.

The community-wide lighting will begin on Sunday with lights at homes and neighborhoods, and on Monday at businesses and municipal buildings. It will be the culmination of a month of awareness raising and action to bring domestic violence and sexual assault out of the darkness and into the light.

Domestic and sexual violence is a significant issue in Mercer County, according to officials.

According to the 2020 NJ State Police Uniform Crime Report, there were 2020 domestic violence offenses reported by the police in Mercer County, which reflects a fraction of actual incidents as domestic violence and sexual assault often go unreported, officials said.

Sexual assault affects one in six women, and one in 33 men during their lifetimes.

“Communities of Light is a powerfully visible representation of the light we see in each person Womanspace serves. Each candle we light on these two nights represents an entire community reflecting that light back to victim-survivors in a message of hope and solidarity,” said Nathalie Nelson, President & CEO of Womanspace.