Womanspace event raising awareness of domestic abuse
By Regina Yorkgitis
Home is often considered a place of security and comfort, but for some, home is a dark place.
So once a year, volunteers illuminate the streets of Mercer County to show support for those who see home as a place of fear and violence. They call the event “Communities of Light.”
“If you’re fortunate, you think of (home as) a haven,” said Patricia Hart, the executive director of Womanspace, the event’s sponsor. “For the clients that we serve, home is pretty much the opposite. That’s the tragedy of it all.”
Based in Lawrence, Womanspace Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services to women and families who have been victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The 12th annual Communities of Light campaign is set to begin at dusk on Dec. 9. It is the agency’s final event for National Domestic Violence Awareness month.
“It really began as a way to create awareness in the community,” said Hart, a Hamilton resident. “Every time that I learn that someone doesn’t know about Womanspace, I know we have our work cut out for us.”
At the designated time, Community of Light participants hold their artificial lights, or luminaries, aloft. The luminaries are available for purchase online, with proceeds to benefit Womanspace.
The sparkling visual of light-lined streets began in 2001 as a way of showing support for victims, to promote awareness of the presence of domestic violence and sexual assault in Mercer County and to publicize the many services that Womanspace offers. The event unites local churches, municipalities, schools and homes in solidarity for an end to domestic violence and sexual assault.
“It sends a message to the community that there are safe places,” said Rabbi Daniel Grossman of Adath Israel Congregation in Lawrence, who has been involved with Womanspace for the past three years. “It’s not enough to just talk about things.”
Often, people affected by violence first turn towards their faith communities for refuge. Because of that tendency, Womanspace decided to recognize five religious leaders as honorary chairs of Communities of Light, for their efforts to promote peace. The honorees were Grossman, the Rev. Teresa Ely of Hamilton Square Baptist Church, the Rev. David Davis of Nassau Presbyterian Church (Princeton), the Rev. Karen Hernández-Granzen of Westminster Presbyterian Church (Trenton) and the Rev. René Rory John of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral (Trenton).
Within the faith communities, “there is a sense of trust,” Grossman said. “Many times, the first call somebody will make is within the context of faith.”
Grossman, who spoke at the Communities of Light kickoff on Oct. 29, has been active in speaking about nonviolence within his congregation. The motto of the week, “Peace Begins At Home,” has a Hebrew equivalent: shalom bayit.
The phrase means that a peaceful home or a peaceful marriage leads to fulfillment and harmony. Grossman hopes to continue to promote not only the physical health of victims, but also the emotional and spiritual health.
“We have signed a covenant that anyone who is a victim of domestic violence will be safe here,” said Ely, of Hamilton Square Baptist Church. “It is really important that we all know there are places you can go to with open arms.”
The covenant is designed to help victims share their story and be able to heal. Victims often remain silent, with many cases of sexual assault and domestic abuse going unreported. Communities of Light is intended to spark honest and direct conversation throughout Mercer County.
“Abuse is something that is often kept a secret,” Ely said.
The candlelit night is is meant to encourage citizens of Mercer County to tackle a difficult topic.
“Communities of Light gives us a chance to have a conversation,” said Kristen Keller, a Princeton resident, the event chair and board member of Communities of Light. “It’s been a vehicle to help people feel comfortable talking about domestic violence.”
Communication and education are crucial in ending the cycle of violence, Keller said.
“The way we can reduce the cycle of violence is by educating our children,” she said. “We’ve got to make it a priority.”
Providing counseling for victims, especially for children who experience violence or witness violence secondhand, is vital to a peaceful future, Keller said.
Residents can participate in the event by purchasing six luminaries for $10 online and help illuminate their street on the night of Dec. 9. More information is online at womanspace.org.
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