PALMER TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Turning Point Lehigh Valley hosts a vigil to remember lives that have been lost due to domestic violence and honor those who have survived partner and household abuse.
The annual event takes place during the month of October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
This year’s event will take place at the Charles Chrin Community Center of Palmer Township. Past events have taken place in Bethlehem and Allentown. Turning Point Lehigh Valley serves both the Lehigh County and Northampton county areas.
- The Every1 Knows Some1 vigil will take place Wed Oct. 19 at the Charles Chrin Community Center in Palmer Township.
- Helping people in domestic and intimate partner abuse doesn't have to be about having the right words to say or solving situations.
- Knowing what resources to offer people along with being a good ear to listen to can help people in abusive situations.
Andrea Search, director of Advancement at Turning Point Lehigh Valley said for this year’s event they wanted to bring attention to how domestic violence isn’t just about physical abuse.
“We changed our mission statement a few years back,” Search said. “Instead of saying domestic violence we say 'domestic and intimate partner abuse.' And people think that’s all there is - it’s just physical. There's also the emotional aspect, financial, cyber.
Search said abuse can include online bullying.
"There’s so many different types of ways people can isolate and use their power and control over someone,” Search said.
For the vigil there will be live music and speeches. Search said there may be a few tears, but not all may be sad.
“We want everyone to leave not on a melancholy note but hope that they can help others, hope that maybe one day we can eliminate domestic and intimate partner abuse,” Search said.
“A lot of items people feel that they tell someone to leave, they need to get up and leave and a lot of times that’s not the answer. You could be putting them at risk of danger, of getting hurt, of getting killed."Andrea Search, director of Advancement at Turning Point Lehigh Valley
Turning Point LV will hold other events throughout the week that either educate, support and advocate for those going through or have been affected by domestic and intimate partner abuse.
These will include media resources, special promotions from businesses that support Turning Point LV and advocate for domestic and intimate partner support. Along with a “No Survivor Justice Without Racial Justice” twitter chat hosted by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
“There is that responsibility to share stories to get the word out there because we all know someone,” Search said. “I know that when people say I don’t know anyone who’s in an abusive situation. Well you can think of someone in your life and be like ‘why are they still in that situation’ or ‘Wow, I couldn’t put up with that.’"
Often people don’t know how to help, Search said, and explained that it’s not about having the right words or being able to solve a situation, more about lending an ear.
“A lot of times people feel that they tell someone to leave, they need to get up and leave and a lot of times that’s not the answer,” Search said. “You could be putting them at risk of danger, of getting hurt, of getting killed. Everyone knows their abuser better than anyone else. We trust the people we talk with when they tell us ‘This is my situation but I don't’ feel safe leaving right now.' Or 'I want to leave, but I have to get a few things in order first.' It’s the survivors' decision. You might not agree with it but you have to respect it.”
