The Family Crisis Council and the Domestic Violence Task Force of Rowan County will have a candlelight vigil Oct. 8, on the steps of the Rowan County courthouse, 232 N. Main St., at 7:30 p.m.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The vigil will memorialize those who have lost their lives because of domestic violence situations and honor those who have been affected by domestic violence.
The vigil is also an opportunity to remember all of those affected by domestic violence and sexual assault – the lost, the survivors, their families and the community, organizers say.
The Family Crisis Council of Rowan County is a United Way member agency that operates the only domestic violence shelter in the county. It offers various services to the community, including a 24-hour crisis line, support groups and court advocacy.
In North Carolina, as of Sept. 12, there were 46 murders directly related to domestic and family violence, one which occurred in Rowan County.
The Family Crisis Council of Rowan County is a nonprofit agency that specializes in helping those affected by rape, incest, sexual assault and domestic violence.
The mission of the Family Crisis Council is to help empower victims of rape, incest, sexual assault and domestic violence take back their lives and eliminate violence in the community by awareness, prevention activities, court advocacy, emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis support, information/referral services and individual and group counselling services, a statement said.
All of the services are free.
For more information about the Family Crisis Council, call the 24-hour hotline at 704-636-4718, press 1.