Valentine's Day Vigil Raises Domestic Violence Awareness

BOSTON/Back Bay - Twilight was bittersweet on Friday in front of Boston's Arlington Street Church as Renewal House, a Roxbury based shelter for victims of domestic abuse, held their Valentine's Day Vigil to raise awareness about domestic violence.

Approximately 50 supporters gathered around the steps of the church as Reverend Susan Chorley of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry introduced Deputy Sergeant Genevive King of the Boston Police Department, state senator Sonia Chang-Diaz, and city councilor Ayanna Pressley - who emphasized the importance of the issue. The speakers provided, "Voices and stories that won't be heard anymore," as shelter and family advocate Colleen Armstrong explained.

In the first six weeks of 2010, there have already been 10 deaths attributed to domestic violence in Massachusetts. Armstrong summed up the reason for the Valentine's Day Vigil, "Whether you want to believe it, someone you know is impacted by domestic violence, just look at the statistics."