Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 02/19/2009

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Terry Menshek (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Spencer Brady

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
HELD IN GUERNEVILLE

A candlelight vigil took place in Guerneville on the evening of February 13th which included a march around the downtown area with candles to raise awareness that victims of domestic violence are represented in every walk of life.  YWCA Executive Director Denise Frye partnered with Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua to host the vigil.  Also in attendance were Fifth District Supervisor Efren Carrillo, Sally McCarthy, the Program Manager of the District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Center and Detective Chris Lomanto of the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Unit of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department.  Following the march and vigil, informational booths concerning victim services were available to the public at the Redwood Hall Lodge.

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua said “We have a collective responsibility as a community to speak out against domestic violence and do everything we can to provide the support to victims so that they have the courage to report it and come forward when violence occurs.  Domestic violence does not discriminate.  It affects all ethnic, social and socio-economic levels, including same sex relationships and marriages.”

Supervisor Efren Carrillo agreed that “domestic violence is a topic that doesn’t get the attention that it deserves and it’s important that we speak out and let everyone know that domestic violence affects not only the victim, but entire families.”  Denise Frye, the Executive Director and CEO of the YWCA commented “It’s important that we shine the light on the darkness by raising awareness that domestic violence affects everyone in our community, including male victims.”

Sonoma County Supervisor, Efren Carrillo (left)
Executive Director YWCA, Denise Frye (center)
Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan R. Passalacqua (right)