ARLINGTON Centennial Park will host a candlelight vigil Oct. 15 at 6 p.m., one of several throughout Snohomish County in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The Snohomish County Domestic Violence Task Force hopes that these events will help raise awareness about organizations such the Snohomish County Center for Battered Women.
Between Jan. 1, 1997, and June 30, 2006, at least 398 people were killed through domestic violence in Washington state, said Vicci Hilty, development director for the Snohomish County Center for Battered Women. The homicide victims included friends, family members, new partners and intervening law enforcement officers. The majority of the homicide victims were women killed by their current or former boyfriends or husbands.
Jim Rucci, budget and fiscal administrator for the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney, noted that domestic violence referrals have held steady over the past two years.
In 2006, the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney received 543 adult felony domestic violence referrals, 1,432 adult misdemeanor domestic violence referrals and 165 juvenile domestic violence referrals. For 2007 to date, theyve received 498 adult felony domestic violence referrals, 1,035 adult misdemeanor domestic violence referrals and 156 juvenile domestic violence referrals.
Resources weve used for domestic violence include the Center for Battered Women, the YWCA, the United Way of Snohomish County, Family and Friends of Violent Crime Victims, Dawson Place and the Prosecuting Attorneys Advocates, said Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Operations Manager Bob Lenz.
Nancy Lingel, police services supervisor for the Arlington Police Department, likewise recommended the Snohomish County Center for Battered Women, whose Web site is www.snococbw.org and whose phone number is 425-25-ABUSE (9-2827). She also pointed to the Washington Statewide Victim Information and Notification Service, which can be reached by phone at 1-877-846-3492 and online at www.vinelink.com.