or the third year, the Irving community will gather to remember victims of domestic violence and to celebrate its brave survivors during a ceremony called Illuminate Irving.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Irving Police Chief Jeff Spivey said the Irving Police Department initiated Illuminate Irving to engage the community and to help victims, their families and friends overcome, escape and heal from the consequences of abuse.
The process is not easy, and for some, it can take years to reach a place of freedom and hope.
“This crime affects all demographics, regardless of socioeconomic level, education, race, national origin, age, gender or sexual orientation,” Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer said. “We want to educate our community about this crime, and let them know the Irving Family Advocacy Center offers a number of free support programs to help victims of domestic abuse.”
Counselors at the Family Advocacy Center (FAC) explained that the healing process has several stages, but the first is often realizing not having to live with the abuse that affects so many. National statistics illuminate the need to find help.
- In one year, more than 10 million women and men experience physical abuse in the United States.
- Thirty percent of women and 25 percent of men have been victims of some form of physical violence in their lifetimes, usually by an intimate partner.
“We need to look to survivors to help us understand what benefited them the most in their healing process. Their wisdom will help us provide services to clients today,” Spivey said. “It’s important we recognize the danger of these situations and work together as a community to help each other find safety.”
Any domestic violence survivor is welcome to take part in this year’s ceremony and share their success by email.
The event is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Oct. 16, along Mandalay Canal, 200 E. Las Colinas Blvd.
- 5:30 p.m. Personalize a lantern; enjoy food and children’s activities; and learn about community resources
- 6:45 p.m. Recognition ceremony
- 7:15 p.m. Lantern release on the canal
