A vigil attendee places a disolvable piece of paper into a jar of water. Those attending could write a message to a survivor or victim of domestic violence to be placed in the jar. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)

Genna Shapiro and Hosanna Olah hold purple candles to honor survivors and victims of domestic violence during the Marquette Women’s Center Candlelight Vigil Thursday evening at the Marquette Commons. The event was part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Violence Program Coordinator for the Women’s Center Kristin Olsen read vigil attendees the poem “Remember My Name” by Kimberly Collins and invited them to partake in a moment of silence for victims and survivors. The vigil was a way to raise awareness and for the community to show their support , Olsen said. “We’re here, it happens, we all know that it happens, it’s happening more unfortunately. We’ve seen an increase even in the last couple of years. It’s not going away,” she said. Olsen noted that though Marquette is a smaller community there are resources for those suffering from domestic violence such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline and the Women’s Center, which will always be available for victims “with open arms,” she said. “Being that support person you don’t know what an impact you have on somebody’s life or whose life you’re actually saving,” Olsen said. For more information or to volunteer at the Genna Shapiro and Hosanna Olah hold purple candles to honor survivors and victims of domestic violence during the Marquette Women’s Center Candlelight Vigil Thursday evening at the Marquette Commons. The event was part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Women’s Center visit wcmqt.org. The community is also asked to put a purple light outside their homes on Saturday in rememberance of victims and to honor survivors as part of Purple Light Night. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)

Purple candles were lit during the vigil in rememberance of those who have passed due to domestic violence. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)