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Bridgeport Remembers Domestic Violence Victims With Vigil

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- The Center for Family Justice (known as The Center) will hold candlelight vigils throughout the area to honor the victims of domestic violence and to raise awareness that this is not just an inner-city issue: Domestic violence occurs in the nicest neighborhoods.

Debra Greenwood, head of The Center for Women and Families, is flanked by Stratford Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour (left), and Fairfield Police Chief Gary McNamara. Vigils are being held throughout the area to honor domestic violence.

Debra Greenwood, head of The Center for Women and Families, is flanked by Stratford Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour (left), and Fairfield Police Chief Gary McNamara. Vigils are being held throughout the area to honor domestic violence.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Cindy Capitani

“It’s a time to remember this year’s victims and survivors, and a chance for those who are suffering to understand that we are here to help them,” says Debra A. Greenwood, president and CEO of The Center. “It is our hope that the vigils will make victims strong enough to speak to us privately and learn about our free and confidential services.”

All vigils are free and appropriate for all ages. Each vigil will feature speakers, including elected officials and staff from The Center, describing the services they offer and the steps anyone can take if he or she is a victim of abuse.

At each vigil, the names of Connecticut’s victims of domestic violence in the past year are read. To commemorate every victim, a bell chimes every nine seconds to remind people that domestic abuse occurs every nine seconds.

This year, The Center has scheduled eight vigils, all beginning at 6 p.m.:

  • Thursday, Oct. 1: University of Bridgeport, Student Center, 244 University Ave., Bridgeport
  • Tuesday, Oct. 6: City Hall Annex, 999 Broad St., Bridgeport
  • Wednesday, Oct. 7, Easton Community Center, Easton
  • Thursday, Oct. 8, United Congregational Church, 877 Park Ave., Bridgeport
  • Tuesday, Oct. 13, Stratford Town Hall, 2725 Main St., Stratford
  • Wednesday, Oct. 14, Trumbull Library, Community Room, 33 Quality Street (next to town hall), Trumbull
  • Tuesday, Oct. 20, Monroe Green in front of the Town Hall Gazebo, 7 Fan Hill Road, Monroe
  • Thursday, Oct. 22, Sherman Green Gazebo, Post and Reef Roads, Fairfield

In addition, Trumbull will hold its Clothesline Project the week leading up to its vigil. T-shirts with messages and illustrations decorated by survivors or community members who wish to honor victims and survivors will be hung from clotheslines on the library’s lawn throughout the week. Residents can pick up a free T-shirt at the library.

The project is sponsored by The Center, in partnership with the Trumbull Rotary, Trumbull Library, Trumbull Cares and Trumbull Woman’s Club.

The Center for Family Justice Inc. (formerly The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County Inc.), brings all domestic, sexual and child abuse services – crisis intervention, police, prosecutors, civil/legal providers, counseling – under one roof, to the headquarters in Bridgeport. For more information, visit www.CenterForFamilyJustice.org. 

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