“Look to your left and to your right,” Blair Goodgame, YWCA volunteer, addressed those gathered at Chapel in the Pines at Lakeside Park in Pell City on Tuesday evening. “Each of us here knows someone who is suffering…most are suffering in silence. Our hope is that the YWCA is here to help.”

The YWCA of Central Alabama held a candlelight vigil for those affected by domestic violence on Tuesday, Oct. 24. It is estimated that one in four women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime. Last year, 2,366 people received help after calling the YWCA 24-hour Crisis Hotline. In 2016 alone, St. Clair County saw 599 domestic violence offenses, including rapes and assaults. In Alabama, 43 people have been killed as a result of domestic violence.

“We are here to stand up for those suffering in silence,” YWCA CEO Yolanda Sullivan said. “This is not just a problem for the police or courts. It’s life or death. It will take all of us to end domestic violence.”

The YWCA created ‘Our Place,’ a domestic violence shelter in St. Clair County, and has served approximately 7000 victims since opening their doors in 2009. The YWCA helps provide court advocacy, education and assistance for victims to get help.

“There have been 600 cases of domestic violence the past year in St. Clair County,” Senior Assistant District Attorney Lyle Harmon said. “That’s hard for a D.A. to talk about. We all admit that it is a serious problem in our community, and it will take education to do something about it.”

If you or someone you know needs help, call the YWCA’s 24-hour Crisis Hotline at 205-322-4878 or the Statewide Crisis Hotline at 800-650-6522.