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Charlotte Amalie
Friday, March 29, 2024
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National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

Wednesday is the seventh annual National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims, a collaborative event for family members and friends to honor their loved ones who were lost to violence.

Sponsored by the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix and the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council, the event held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Sunny Isles Amphitheater will feature “words from the heart” – shared reflections from those who were affected at an open mic where music, poetry and other mediums of art can be performed to express grief.

The event also focuses on encouraging hope gained through awareness, advocacy and support for families. The commemoration will close with a viewing of the Wall of Remembrance at which time the victims will be highlighted and commemorated.

Women’s Coalition Director Clema Lewis said, “There is too much violence and pain in our community and it is up to us to stop it.”

Since 1997, more than 460 men, women and children have lost their lives to violence in the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to a statement from the sponsoring organizations.

The Women’s Coalition of St. Croix provides advocacy, crisis intervention services and counseling for victims through a 24-hour, year-round advocate program to assist men, women and children victims of rape, domestic violence and other violent crimes. They provide temporary safe housing, emergency aid, food and clothing to victims and their children and conduct specialized training seminars to sensitize police, hospital and social service personnel to the needs of victims.

The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council was established in 1987 to coordinate education, prevention and response efforts in order to reduce the incidences of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence, as well as to make these crimes socially and culturally unacceptable. The council conducts age-appropriate sessions for students from pre-kindergarten through the university.

For more information on the National Day of Remembrance for Murdered Victims, the Women’s Coalition, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council or other upcoming events, please contact the Women’s Coalition at 340- 773-9272 or the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council at 340-719-0144.

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