Robin Craig receives recognition from the Coconino County Response Team to Domestic Violence for her work. Matt Beaty / The Lumberjack

Members of the community came together to promote healthy relationships in a silent vigil march for domestic violence awareness. On Oct. 29, students from NAU and Coconino County Community College joined residents of Flagstaff in a march to Flagstaff City Library as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Coconino County Community Response Team to Domestic Violence sponsored the event.

Myra Ferell-Womochil, the legal advocate at Northland Family Help Center, hosted the event. She said while the marchers walked, their thoughts were to be focused on the families throughout the world who are affected by domestic violence.

“[The purpose of the silent vigil] is to pay respect to the victims and survivors of domestic violence and to show your support for them,” Ferell-Womochil said.

Once participants arrived at the library, speakers shared stories and poems written by domestic violence victims. In addition, five awards were handed out to members of the community who had made notable efforts toward preventing and raising awareness of this issue.

According to Ferell-Womochil, domestic violence is a common occurrence.

“Many people come into contact with domestic violence,” Ferell-Womochil said. “I mean, it affects one out of every four relationships.”

Flagstaff resident Cleveland Benelly spoke to the audience about his experience with domestic violence and said it is an issue that should not remain behind closed doors.

“We tend to think about domestic violence as occurring between two people: the survivor and the person who committed the crime,” Benelly said. “But we have to think about it as a community issue.”

Benelly said involvement of friends and neighbors is one way to help the victims of violence.

“We must have the courage that when we see domestic violence, we step in and make sure to be that first person to say ‘this is enough,’” Benelly said. “We have to step in and help each other out.”

Cecily Frances, a sophomore English and political science major, and Tracy Valgento, a freshman journalism and political science major, attended the event. Frances said domestic violence is a valid issue to be discussed in Flagstaff.

“I think it’s important that we have community awareness,” Frances said. “I think it’s good that it’s open for people to get out of these situations and find support and make sure they are psychologically okay, as well.”
Valgento said the best part of the event was seeing the turnout from the community.

“It’s a touchstone for different organizations to come together and celebrate raising awareness for this issue,” Valgento said.

Ferell-Womochil said another march will take place in April to raise awareness for sexual assault.

“This event is meant to inspire community involvement,” Ferell-Womochil said. “It’s also [meant] to help Northland Family Help Center raise awareness of its services for victims of domestic violence — that they can get help.”

Although October is nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Ferell-Womochil said the issue is a topic that should be addressed all 12 months of the year.

“We should work towards domestic violence prevention and intervention all year-round,” Ferell-Womochil said.