Join members of the community who are united against violence against women and children, for what Help Now of Osceola County leaders hope can become an annual event again.
The 13th annual Domestic Violence Rally, Awareness Walk and Candlelight Vigil is Wednesday at 6 p.m. It returns after a two-year pandemic hiatus to wrap up National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which has been observed since 1981, when it started as a national Day of Unity.
Wearing purple — the color of memorial for those trying to end their saga of abuse, and those who didn’t and serve as a memory and cautionary story — will be the order of the day.
The rally begins at the Osceola County Courthouse, where many victims get their justice, in downtown Kissimmee. Messages will be read by domestic violence survivors and from community advocates urging bringing an end to violence against women and children.
The Awareness Walk will take place through the streets of Kissimmee, and end with a moving candlelight vigil at the Kissimmee Police Department, where Help Now, joined by the community, will honor the lives lost due to domestic violence and help shine a light of hope for the community’s current survivors.
Earlier this month, Help Now visited local law enforcement agencies — partners in awareness — such as KPD and the St. Cloud Police Department, to deliver signs for the community to spread the message of awareness and prevention. A trip to the Osceola County Sheriff ’s Office is scheduled for today at 2 p.m. Purple ribbons, patches and shields were proudly displayed by chiefs, officers, deputies and staff to stand united against domestic violence.
Local government proclamations were given Monday by the Osceola County Commission, the City of Kissimmee Tuesday, and the movement will be honored by the City of St. Cloud next Thursday. The School District of Osceola County honored the prevention work of Help Now on Oct. 4.
This year’s hashtag for domestic violence awareness is #Every1KnowsSome1.