With comforting hugs, handshakes and whispered welcomes, members of the community took white candles from a wicker basket and formed a circle on the lawn of the Effingham County Courthouse.
In observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Effingham County Victim Witness Assistance Program and Effingham County Domestic Violence Task Force held a customary candlelight vigil at dusk Tuesday evening to honor and celebrate victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
“You never know what’s happening behind closed doors,” said ECSO Chief Deputy Richard Bush.
After the group of approximately 35 assembled, Glenda King, director of ECVWAP, welcomed the group. She told them that in 2009 the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office recorded 1,029 domestic violence incidents — a substantial rise from 817 in 2008. She also said that ECVWAP served 329 families involved in personal injury crimes in 2009.
For the complete story, see Friday's edition of the Herald.