SPOKANE, Wash. – The community gathered at Riverfront Park on Wednesday evening to honor survivors of domestic violence and mark the beginning of “Domestic Violence Action Month.”
Hundreds attended the vigil to remember lives lost to domestic violence and to show solidarity with survivors. The amphitheater was filled with the color purple as community members stood together against domestic violence.
The event was organized by YWCA Spokane and launched a month-long campaign focused on not just awareness but action.
Gemma Riedel-Johnson, Community Engagement Lead at YWCA Spokane, highlighted the significance of the event.
“So October 1st marks the beginning of Domestic Violence Action Month. Other places may say Awareness Month, but we believe here that we want to move from awareness to action,” Riedel-Johnson said.
Organizers emphasized the importance of unity, bringing survivors, families and community partners together.
“So our community vigil here is just that. It’s for the community. We have invited community partners, supporters of survivors and of this work to come together and have a moment of unity to remember those who have lost their lives due to domestic violence, to celebrate the strength of survivors and to come together to call for change,” Riedel-Johnson said.
For some attendees, the vigil was a platform to share personal experiences and encourage others to take action.
Michael McKay, an attendee, expressed his motivation for participating.
“This is an opportunity to get the word out because there’s so many women and children that need support and need a listening ear,” McKay said.
Advocates pointed out that Spokane has some of the highest rates of domestic violence in Washington.
“There’s more domestic violence here in Spokane than there is in the rest of the state of Washington, and this is an ability for us to shine a light on the fact that there are survivors in our midst every day,” Sally Winn, Director of Legal Services at YWCA Spokane, stated.
The YWCA emphasized the importance of the vigil in raising awareness and reminding survivors that help is available.
“And it’s important to shine a light on this, because they are the people who’ve lived through this. They’re the people that know the truth of what DV can do to an individual, and we can better let people know that you don’t have to be alone through this process. We’re here, and everything that you’re going through, we would like to be right beside you and support you with,” Winn said.
Organizers noted that the vigil was not only about remembering survivors but also about encouraging action. Help is always available through the YWCA’s 24-hour helpline.
For additional resources, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. Text support is also available by texting 88788.
