Crime victims, advocates
honored at remembrance vigil
Dozens of community members turned out victims of crime as well as their advocates during the inaugural Victims of Crime Remembrance Vigil on Wednesday in front of the El Centro Police Department.
Multiple speakers reminded those present that a heightened level of community involvement can help reduce crime as well as ensure victims of crime receive the justice and support needed to regain control of their lives.
During her remarks, Valley resident Flor Overton spoke about her sorrow dealing with the recent killing of her sister, Angelica Cardiel, and Cardiel’s two children on March 5 in El Centro.
Although Cardiel’s household did not display any visible signs of domestic violence, other troubling signs were present that should have raised concerns, Overton said.
“Domestic violence does not discriminate,” said Overton, who also disclosed being a domestic violence survivor. “It can affect anyone and someone can be suffering in silence.”
With the help of God, Overton said, she ultimately found the resolve to leave her abusive partner and end the “crippling and demeaning” cycle of violence.
In closing, Overton also had a simple, yet thoughtful, message to parents.
“Fathers, raise your children to be gentlemen, to be kind and to respect others,” she said. “And mothers, raise your girls to know their worth, to know that they are valuable and that they are children of God.”
The vigil had gotten started with the presentation of colors by the Calipatria State Prison Color Guard, as well as an opening prayer by First United Methodist Church Pastor Ron Griffen.
The inaugural vigil came on the heels of last week’s National Victims’ Rights Week, and was organized by the Center for Family Solutions, the county Child Abuse Prevention Council, Mothers and Men Against Gang Coalition, Sure Helpline Crisis Center, the city of El Centro, its Police Department and the local prisons.
The theme of the vigil, like National Victims’ Rights Week, was strength, resilience and justice, said Ivan Soto, with the Center for Family Solutions.
“Those three words are a vision of the future in which all victims are strengthened by the responses they receive to the challenges they are facing,” said Soto.
Valley resident Tamara Sunghera also spoke about her past history of being a victim of domestic violence.
The “charming and charismatic” man who Sunghera had been married to initially didn’t strike her as being someone capable of domestic abuse, she said.
Ultimately, she too found herself being physically abused and at one point had her life threatened.
“At that point, I couldn’t look back, I had to do something,” Sunghera told those gathered.
With the help of Woman Haven, Sunghera was able to separate herself form the situation, prosecute her ex-husband and reclaim her life.
“I was a victim but I am also a survivor,” she said.
WomanHaven Executive Director Gina Vargas also told gathered that she hoped the evening’s speakers would inspire community members to get involved and not be afraid to report suspected incidents of crime to the proper authorities.
“There’s justice to be served, but you need to make the first step,” Vargas said. As part of the vigil, attendees were provided LED candles and pinwheels, and were encouraged to fill out a card that stated “I want to stop … in my community” that was then affixed to a banner that hung from a nearby fence. Some of the filled out cards expressed a desire to stop human trafficking, domestic violence, burglaries and identity theft in the community. El Centro Mayor Alex Cardenas said he was touched by the turnout for Wednesday’s vigil and noted that about 20 million Americans become victims of a violent of property crime on an annual basis.
“Unfortunately our city is not exempt from this appalling statistic,” Cardenas said.
Yet, he also said he was heartened by the tireless efforts of law enforcement officials as well as victims’ right advocates that help ensure justice and a heightened awareness of victims’ rights.
“This is an event that is long overdue and I’m hoping with your support we can make a tradition and an annual event,” Cardenas said.