Safe House vigils

Safe House for Women in Cape Girardeau provides both a refuge and resource for victims of domestic violence. Because privacy is so crucial to the mission of the Safe House, the public doesn't often have an opportunity to learn many details of how lives are saved and changed through this community asset.

Each year, Safe House for Women has a private vigil to remember victims of domestic violence, and that event will be held again this year. In addition, there will be a public vigil from 7 to 9 p.m. this Saturday at the gazebo in the Common Pleas Courthouse Park. Angie Rice, a survivor of domestic violence, will be the keynote speaker. She plans to talk about moving on after getting out of a bad situation.

The vigil will pay tribute to individuals who have lost their lives to domestic violence and celebrate the efforts of those who have survived.

These events, both public and private, help draw attention to the mission and successes of Safe House for Women. Raising awareness of the effect domestic violence has on the community is a key part of the vigils.

The more the community knows about programs like Safe House for Women, the more it can respond to their needs.