To recognize October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the WomenShelter of Long Beach (WSLB) will host a Candlelight Walk and Vigil this weekend.

While some may immediately think of Ray and Janay Rice, whose relationship was put in the spotlight recently when a video tape surfaced of Ray attacking Janay, the issue of domestic violence is also present in everyday lives, including here in Long Beach.

According to a recent report from Mount St. Mary’s College on the Status of Women and Girls, 33% of the U.S. female population experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime. In California, that figure is even higher at 40%.

WSLB serves about 1,000 victims of domestic violence and their children each year, which equates to more than 14,000 people since 1977, according to WSLB officials. These are the women will be remembered.

“The vigil’s purpose is to remember those who’ve suffered and died, to increase public awareness and funding in an effort to prevent further domestic violence, and to thank all those who support our organization and its outreach,” said Wendy Asman, Executive Director of WSLB, in a statement. “The national discussion, begun with the Rice videos, must continue with those visuals serving as a stark reminder of the brutal reality of domestic violence and its pervasiveness throughout society—violence inflicted every day without national headlines.”

2014 also marks the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, which was signed by Congress in 1994 to provide $1.6B toward investigating and prosecuting violent crimes against women.

Guests at the event will include Chair of the Community Relations Commission Kerry Gerot, City Prosecutor Doug Haubert, Fire Chief Mike DuRee,Sergeant Curtis Yee of the Domestic Violence Detail of the Long Beach Police Department, teachers, students and families from across Long Beach and the Southland.

Donations will be welcome and put toward the care of victims of domestic violence and their children.

The vigil will take place Friday at 5:30PM at the ArtExchange in the East Village Arts District in Downtown Long Beach, located at 340 E. 3rd St.

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