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Vigil focuses on domestic violence

Attendees of a candlelight vigil to honor victims and survivors of domestic violence release balloons on the Randolph County Courthouse lawn Wednesday evening. More than 30 people attended the event, which was sponsored by the Randolph County Prosecutor’s Office, Women’s Aid in Crisis and the Children’s Advocacy Center.

ELKINS — In keeping with October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Randolph County Prosecutor’s Office, Women’s Aid in Crisis and the Children’s Advocacy Center sponsored a candlelight vigil in honor of victims and survivors of domestic violence Wednesday at the James Cain Annex of the Randolph County Courthouse.

Jayne Rawl, victim services coordinator with the Randolph County Prosecutor’s Office, said another goal of the event was to raise awareness in the community of available services for victims of domestic violence.

“Tonight, we will light candles and release balloons,” Rawl said. “We also have students from Davis & Elkins College who will perform a skit. I think the service also helps victims know they are not alone. This happens to anybody, anywhere, anytime. And it’s good to know that, because when it is happening, you feel all alone.”

Kimberly Morgan, executive director of Women’s Aid in Crisis, said the West Virginia Coalition reported in 2014 to 2015, there were 25 deaths of individuals in West Virginia because of domestic violence. In 2015 to 2016, there were 26 deaths in West Virginia because of domestic violence.

“Each one of the deaths was somebody’s mom, somebody’s dad, somebody’s child,” Morgan said. “We always need to remember that individual in domestic violence. We are also here to celebrate the survivors of domestic violence.”

Randolph County Magistrates are recognized for their care of victims of domestic violence Wednesday during a candlelight vigil at the James Cain Annex. Plaques were presented from Women’s Aid in Crisis. Pictured are, from left, Magistrate Robert Elbon, Jessica Massimino of Women’s Aid in Crisis, Magistrate Benjamin Shepler and Women’s Aid in Crisis Executive Director Kimberly Morgan.

Randolph County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Parker said promoting awareness of domestic violence is a very important issue.

“I would like to take this time to remember a victim of domestic violence,” Parker said. “We just had a trial last month. As the evidence came out, it became clear that she had endured 51 years of domestic violence and she paid the ultimate price on Feb. 6, 2012, when she was shot and murdered by her husband. I think that illustrates how important what everybody in here does to promote awareness for this issue and working toward this issue.”

Morgan said Women’s Aid in Crisis wanted to express its sincere thanks and gratitude to law enforcement and Randolph County Magistrates for their care of victims, for their listening ear and for their tireless work and dedication. She and Jessica Massimino, also from WAIC, presented the Randolph County Magistrates with a certificate of appreciation.

Four Davis & Elkins College students, Gennifer Lipscomb, Olivia Lanham, Ashley Day and Hunter Fath, presented a skit about domestic violence developed for a criminology class. After the presentation, Lipscomb led a candle-lighting ceremony. Afterward, everyone gathered on the lawn of the Randolph County Courthouse for a balloon release while Katy Ross played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.

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