Domestic Violence Awareness Month

A motorcade, which will end with a vigil at Lafayette Park are among the events planned for October to raise awareness about domestic violence.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Refuge House, Inc. wants to educate the community about the realities of domestic violence against both women and men.

The Refuge House is the domestic and sexual violence center for seven North Florida neighboring counties including Franklin County.

Over the past 20 something years, the agency has provided services to battered women, their children, and sexual assault survivors, and have worked diligently to eliminate conditions in society that allow such violence to continue.

With each October, the agency stages a community event to increase awareness to the havoc domestic violence wrecks upon children, families, and communities.

Linda Gibson, Franklin County Advocate asked city commissioners at their Oct 6 meeting for permission to motorcade through the city and host a vigil at the end under the gazebo at Lafayette Park.

According to Gibson, the motorcade will leave from in front of the former school board district office on 12th street, move toward town on US Highway 98, turn unto Avenue B and arrive at the park, where a vigil for victims who have lost their life to domestic violence will conclude the event.

Gibson told commissioners that she plans to ask residents along with all city and county officials, local clergyman and school officials to participate in the motorcade starting at noon on Oct 24.

For more information on Domestic Violence Awareness Month and/or the Oct 24 event, contact Linda Gibson at (850) 653-3313, from 9:00AM to 5:00PM, Monday through Friday.