Annual event draws awareness of impact of domestic violence

Tabatha Beerbower/Daily Mail During a ceremony in honor of victims on Monday, a crowd gathers around silhouettes on display on the courthouse lawn symbolizing domestic violence homicide victims with connections to Vernon County. The display will remain through the month of October.

The Vernon County Domestic Violence Task Force and the families and friends of victims gathered on the courthouse lawn on Monday to honor those murdered by domestic violence and to raise the community's awareness of the impact of domestic violence on lives it touches.

A brief ceremony in honor of victims was conducted, and participants marched around the Square, carrying balloons that were later released -- white balloons symbolize victims who have lost their lives; purple balloons symbolize survivors.

It is estimated that four million women are battered each year in the United States. It is further estimated that between 3 and 10 million children witness domestic violence each year in their homes. Domestic violence is a crime; a silent, raging crime with devastating impact on victims, children, and communities.

Moss House, a 24-hour residential emergency shelter serves victims of domestic violence and their children in Vernon County. Services include emergency shelter, 24-hour toll-free crisis hotline, crisis intervention, case management, children's services, self-sufficiency training, education classes, support groups, information and referrals, and safety planning.

The shelter serves an average of 325 women and children each year.