Connecticut domestic violence agency has candlelight vigil
Jayne Chacko; WTNH News 8; Oct. 4, 2023
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) — The Prudence Crandall Center held its annual candlelight vigil on Wednesday night to raise awareness and honor those who have lost their lives in the past year to domestic violence. The center is also commemorating 50 years of serving the community.
Survivors and family members of those who lost loved ones to domestic violence shared their stories. One person said leaving an abusive relationship was just the first step and that the journey is long, and support is needed. “It takes a community to raise a survivor, to sustain a survivor,” one person said.
Davida Foy Crabtree opened the Prudence Crandall Center half a century ago for that reason. She said speaking about domestic violence in the 1970s was taboo. “I had people try to silence me about it and polite people did not talk about these realities,” she said. “We name what’s actually happening, because in that is healing and in that is hope.”
The theme of the vigil was “silent no more.” Sisters Tammy Walker and Taffie Walker-Dudley spoke about their sister, Shenia Walker, who was killed by her ex-boyfriend ten years ago. They said talking about what happened and having a strong support system helped them get through the worst time of their life. “It changed our whole life, our dynamics, everything,” Walker-Dudley said. “My sister was a special person. If you have family and friends who are secure with you and solid with you, you’ll get through it. We got through it, we’re living testimony that you can make it on the other side of tragedy.” Walker-Dudley said the Prudence Crandall Center offered support to their family since its first day. “It’s sad in the beginning, but you will find in joy if you trust in God and you trust in your village,” Walker-Dudley said.
Watch the WTNH News 8 coverage of the vigil here.
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Silent No More candlelight vigil amplifies voices during Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Gaby Molina; FOX61; Oct. 4, 2023
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — 50 years ago, when Davida Foy Crabtree helped start the Prudence Crandall Center she could have never imagined the crowd of people before her in New Britain on Wednesday. “It’s really a sign of hope and healing,” she said. People spoke out against domestic violence during a month dedicated to bringing awareness to it.
“We know that people who experience domestic violence are living in fear. They’ve been threatened and intimidated and they often feel as if they don’t have a voice. So we are their voice,” said Barbara Damon, president and CEO of the Prudence Crandall Center. The Prudence Crandall Center now offers a wide range of support and resources, including an emergency shelter, counseling and court-based services. “Domestic violence happens to one in four women and one in seven men that’s victims of domestic violence,” Damon said. “In Connecticut, the average is about 14 people every year murdered as a result of domestic violence.”
Shenia Walker of Bristol was one of those people in 2013. “Her smile would light up a room it was everything, was everything,” said her sisters Taffie Walker Dudley and Tammie Walker. They help keep her memory alive for her sons and want to make sure no other family goes through what they did. “People end up losing their lives and loved ones end up losing people they love and it’s devastating,” Tammie said. They share the same belief that talking about the issue can be a light in the darkness. “Most important. It should be spoken about every month,” Tammie said.