FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WOAY) – They are in the fight of their life, with one in three Mountain State women experiencing perennial physical or sexual intimate partner or non-partner violence.
AWAY’s special candlelight vigil in Fayette County highlighted four chairs with victims’ clothing and shoes, and a devastating reality that tears apart families and leaves lasting scars.
Together with local law enforcement, they reflected on the impact of this crisis and the lifesaving work they all do, empowering survivors to live free from fear and abuse.
Each guest lit a candle in hope, commemoration, and commitment to ending domestic violence.
“The families, when they see the emptiness and nobody is in their shoes, no one under that law enforcement hat, even the child playing with a toy, or seeing a child’s shoes, it’s very devastating, very heartbreaking,” said Fayette County Domestic Violence Victim Advocate Belinda Hopkins. “And so the message is — what can we do as a community to try to prevent it from happening?”
According to Sheriff Jess McMullen, it’s been invaluable being able to work with AWAY and improve the department’s education on communicating with domestic violence victims.
“They’ve provided us with many resources to be able to reach out to them and provide help to these victims. A lot of times, they don’t want to talk, and don’t want to talk to someone in authority, after they’ve been through a traumatic event,” McMullen said. “But we’ve worked together to figure out how we can provide those resources and then get them help so they don’t have to be a repeat victim.”
With West Virginia having some of the highest rates of domestic violence in the country, it was important for the candlelight vigil to include the Inside Hope Awards.
“Given to individuals who have been working with victims of domestic violence for quite a while, and played an important role in their recovery, in saving their lives as well,” said Hopkins.
When the Fayette County prosecuting attorney took office, he says one of his priorities was to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on domestic violence-related offenses because one should never have to worry about their spouse or partner causing them harm.
“Domestic violence is insidious in its nature,” Anthony Ciliberti said. “It happens behind closed doors and tends to be perpetuated. Offenders who get by with it tend to do it again and again and again until, at some point, they’re held accountable.”
It’s important to let victims know you care and accept what they are saying. Sometimes we are their lifeline.
“Sometimes, law enforcement is that lifeline,” said Hopkins. “But they want to be heard. They want to be heard and they want to be believed.”
