The ARK Domestic Violence Shelter will host a candlelight vigil this Thursday, October 23rd, to honor  local victims who lost their lives to domestic violence.  The event will be held inside the Bettie and Robert Girling Center for Social Justice at Howard Payne University (next to the Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom building) and will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The candlelight vigil coincides with the Empty Shoes Exhibit now going on in the Girling Center. The exhibit features shoes representing 11 deaths attributed to domestic violence in Brown, Coleman and Comanche Counties within the past 20 years. Beside each pair of shoes is the victim’s name and their story.  In addition to remembering the victims, the exhibit sparks great emotions and brings awareness to the general public not to turn a blind eye to obvious domestic violence, but to speak up.  Two former victims of domestic violence will speak briefly. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this event.

Recently, Brown County Judge Ray West and Brown County Commissioners Gary Worley, Joel Kelton, Wayne Shaw and Larry Traweek signed an official proclamation declaring the Month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Purple is traditionally the color of Domestic Violence and the public is encouraged to wear purple during the month to support domestic violence awareness.  Purple bracelets are on sale for $5 in the gift shop at Brownwood Regional Medical Center and by calling the ARK at 643-2699.  All proceeds benefit the ARK.

The ARK is a shelter for victims of domestic violence and/or sexual abuse and their families in Brown, Coleman and Comanche Counties. The phone number to call for help is 325-643-2699.  For more information about the ARK Shelter, visit www.arkshelter.org.