Domestic violence vigil set for Tuesday

Victims and survivors of domestic violence hope to increase awareness of the issue during a vigil Tuesday evening.

The Yuma County Victims’ Rights Committee, a group formed under the Yuma County Attorney’s office, will host the Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil at the Centennial Heritage Area of the Yuma County Main Library, 2951 S. 21st Drive, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public.

“The main focus of the event is to bring victims and survivors together to mourn, celebrate and talk,” said Emmanuel Villegas, a spokesman for the committee. “We want to present people with the tools to overcome domestic violence and get help from others who have shared the same struggle.”

Several speakers plan to tell stories and share information with those in attendance. An informational booth will also be set up to teach about the realities and facts of domestic violence and share resources to help victims and survivors.

The gathering is part of the committee’s effort to bring attention to the issue during October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a designation the Yuma County Board of Supervisors approved at their most recent meeting. Several committee members attended the board meeting including Alicia Franco, who heads the group.

According to statistics from the Yuma County Attorney’s Office, at least one child will witness domestic violence every 44 minutes, and Arizona recorded 107 deaths related to domestic violence in 2015.

Sunday, Oct. 13, through Saturday, Oct. 19.

The Yuma Fire Department responded to 262 emergency calls for service:

• 18 General Fire Response

Including: 1 for a fire in a BBQ that spread to the patio roof, 1 for a trailer fire in an RV Park, 1 for a cooking fire, 1 for a ceiling fan sparking, 1 for a fire in an apartment, and various alarms

• 2 Mutual Aid

Including: 1 call to assist Rural Metro with a medical emergency in the County and 1 to assist with Tactical Emergency Medical System (TEMS) personnel to a barricaded suspect in Somerton

• 28 Motor Vehicle Crashes

Including: 1 involving a bicycle, 4 involving pedestrians, 1 reported as head-on, 2 involving motorcycles,