Baker lights a candle in honor of her sister, Dianna Hale
A candlelight vigil remembering and honoring the victims of domestic violence was held Monday evening on Little River by Sanctuary, Inc. as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
An average of 20 people are hurt by a loved one every minute and Sanctuary, Inc. Executive Director Heather Lancaster says too many are killed by a significant other. She says they hope to bring awareness to the pain so many endure in the community and across the world.
Barbara Baker, a local educator, whose sister Dianna Hale lost her life at the hands of her abuser and husband in 1997, spoke at the ceremony. Baker says her sister was shot and then her killer took his own life, not long after her sister decided to leave and filed for divorce after years of abuse. She urges people to look for the warning signs of abuse and help them.
She says the loss never gets easier and domestic violence can happen to anyone.
A list of names of those who have lost their lives to domestic violence was read as a candle for each was lit and sent to float downstream in Little River. A moment of silence was held in the memory of those who went before and in honor of those still struggling.
