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Cambridge Domestic Violence Vigil

Location

Steps of Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue

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Description

As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, join the City of Cambridge for a candlelight vigil to commemorate the Massachusetts women, men, and children who lost their lives to domestic violence since last October. The City is also hosting a community training on Oct. 10 and other events and activities to bring important attention to domestic and gender-based violence. 

The annual vigil will commemorate the Massachusetts women, men, and children who lost their lives to domestic violence since last October. The event will feature a reading of the victims’ names, the ringing of the City Hall bell for every name read, a musical interlude, and a poetry reading. Local domestic violence prevention agencies will have resources for survivors and information for the community on how to recognize and talk about domestic violence.

“Cambridge is continuing the long-standing commitment to the prevention of domestic violence,” said Liz Speakman, Coordinator of the city’s Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative. “October is a time to reflect on the harms caused by abuse in the home and become active in stopping it. We have the opportunity to continue this action throughout the year with the insights and skills learned at the city sponsored trainings.”

Cambridge’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month is organized by multiple city departments and city-led groups, including the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women, the Cambridge Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative, the Cambridge Police Department, the Cambridge Public Health Department, and Mending Cambridge, an initiative that engages men in challenging stereotypes around masculinity and becoming active allies in working to end gender-based violence..

“We are very proud of the work of our city departments and partners to support victims of domestic and gender-based violence and educate our community through trainings and other activities,” said City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “We encourage our community to get involved and learn about the valuable resources that can be instrumental in preventing and bringing attention to domestic and gender-based violence.”

Transition House and the City of Cambridge Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative will hold a free Community Training, Working with Survivors of Domestic Violence on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at the City Hall Annex., 344 Broadway, 2nd Fl. Conf. Room. Lunch will be provided.

This training is an engaging and interactive opportunity to learn about the basics of abuse and local resources. It will cover the dynamics of abuse, best practice in working with survivors, tips for responding to disclosures, and the chance to connect with many service providers in Cambridge who help survivors. Staff from the City of Cambridge, Transition House and other community resources will be presenting on these topics. Please register by Oct. 1:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/citywide-domestic-violence-training-tickets-70505458725.

Cambridge Public Safety will once again observe Domestic Violence Month by displaying purple in a variety of ways. The Cambridge Police Department’s Command Staff will also wear purple badges throughout the course of October, while purple ribbon pins will be made available for the remainder of the department. Furthermore, a purple ribbon flag will be displayed on the Robert W. Healy Public Safety building, while the lights on the outside of the building will flash purple in October.

On Thursday, Oct. 24, non-sworn employees of the Cambridge Police, Fire, and Emergency Communications will be encouraged to wear purple on Purple Thursday to honor victims and supports survivors of domestic violence. Photos will be posted on Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #PurpleThursday.

For more information, contact Liz Speakman, Cambridge Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Prevention Initiative, at 617-349-3290 or espeakman@cambridgema.gov.
Page was posted on 9/17/2019 10:46 AM
Page was last modified on 7/24/2023 10:04 PM
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