‘Silent No More’ Vigil shines light on domestic violence crisis

The vigil, sponsored by the Ryan T. Lee Memorial Foundation, will feature remarks from domestic violence survivors, family members and community leaders, including Dr. William Petit of the Petit Family Foundation, Bristol Mayor Jeffrey Caggiano and Prudence Crandall Center President and CEO Barbara Damon, among others within the organization.

Damon stated that doing work every day shows how domestic abuse impacts far too many: 1 in 4 women, 1 in 7 men and 1 in 3 dating teens, and that the suffering and impacts are devastating.

“That’s why raising awareness during October, reaching survivors and families in need, is so critical and we need the community’s help in that work,” Damon said.

For Carolyn Jasper, chief development officer at Prudence Crandall Center, the vigil is more than a ceremony: it is a lifeline.

Jasper said those numbers are more than statistics. They represent families across central Connecticut.

“Every week, we hear from someone who feels trapped and doesn’t know where to turn. The vigil is a reminder that they are not alone, that there is a community ready to support them,” Jasper told the Press.

Domestic violence agencies across the country are reporting unprecedented strain and Prudence Crandall Center is no exception.

“Emergency safe shelters are consistently full or over capacity, victim services for counseling and court advocacy are in jeopardy and finding safe, affordable housing for survivors leaving an abusive home remains the greatest struggle, especially in Connecticut,” Jasper said.

Federal funding uncertainties have only exacerbated the situation.

“For an agency such as ours, where approximately one-third of our funding comes from federal government sources, the current shutdown amplifies this risk to PCC services and survivors’ safety,” she added.

Jasper explained that some grants have already ended, including those that funded hotel stays when shelters were full and the initial grant that established their Bristol satellite office.

“We are now in the midst of a fundraising campaign to sustain this office and these crucial services into the future,” she said.

These challenges haven’t changed the goal of building partnerships to reach more victims.

“We do have new partners in our awareness-raising work,” Jasper said. “These include healthcare partnerships to more effectively reach victims at risk or in need through various touch points in the healthcare system, from an emergency room visit to a labor and delivery stay. These health partners include Hartford HealthCare’s Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain, Bristol Health and others.”

The center has also partnered with UConn Law School to expand legal support for survivors.

“This clinic gives our clients more options, resources and support to secure restraining orders, stay informed of the progress of their cases and safety plans,” said Daniela Bellows, lead court advocate.

Despite the struggles, Jasper emphasized the importance of gratitude.

“We are so grateful to have an incredible community of support, and we need them by our side today, tomorrow, and through whatever the future holds,” she said.

The vigil, Jasper said, is about standing together.

“It is a moment for survivors to feel seen and for the community to say with one voice: we will not be silent anymore,” Jasper said.

For more information or to RSVP, contact Sarah Hawkes at 860-960-7421 or shawkes@prudencecrandall.org.