By Alexandra Golder
Contributing Writer
It was in the faces of young people that hope was seen Thursday evening in downtown Wilmington as community members, young and old, rallied at the courtyard of the historic New Hanover County Courthouse to unite in an effort to raise awareness about domestic violence. October is domestic violence awareness month.
“Young children are the agents of change,” said Monika Johnson-Hostler, executive director of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault and keynote speaker at the 27th annual Take Back the Night march and rally. “Teaching our children what to question is how we change our culture.”
Featured at the event was the Silent Witness Exhibit, a traveling memorial that featured eight silhouettes of life-size women accompanied by the names, ages and dates of real North Carolina women that were killed as a result of domestic violence.
Led by the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover Sheriff’s Department, the march through the streets of Princess, Front, Market and 3rd stopped traffic and gained attention from onlookers eating a meal on the sidewalk or taking a stroll after dinner.
“Law enforcement does so much in terms of combating the issue of domestic violence,” said Andrea Stough, outreach coordinator of The Open Gate Domestic Violence Shelter and Services.
Stough said the response to the event was phenomenal and relied on collaborating with partner advocacy groups and those who have been affected by domestic violence.
Chants, such as “people unite, take back the night” and “there’s no excuse for domestic abuse” echoed in the streets. Hand-made signs read “no means no” and “love should not hurt.”
The event provided an opportunity for the friends and family of victims to remember them, Stough said.
With the theme to spark creativity and illuminate hope, a toddler boy handing out purple glow sticks, pointed out Johnson-Hostler, accomplished both.
Musician Laura McLean, poets Kelly Williams and Dierdre Parker and two female dance members of UNCW’s Physical Graffiti gave emotional performances during the rally.
An event for the Silent Witness Exhibit will take place Mon., Oct. 17 in Innis Park at 12:30.
