MEXICO — A small gathering of teens and adults at the Mexico gazebo Thursday night remember those who have lost their lives to domestic violence honored survivors.

The vigil, the second time it’s been held in a River Valley town, also aims to raise awareness of domestic violence in the community. October is domestic violence awareness month.

After Diane Gallagher, education coordinator for the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project, helped light the candles of each person attending, several members of the Voices Committed to Change read stories of local teens who have experienced some kind of abuse.

The members of Voices Committed to Change are students at Mountain Valley or Dirigo high schools.

Kayla Bernard, a Dirigo High School senior, read an essay from a teen who had suffered abuse under a stepfather, and Karissah Anastasio, a senior at Mountain Valley, read about a fellow classmate who struggled to get out of an unhealthy relationship.

State Rep. Sheryl Briggs, D-Mexico, said the vigil and group are crucial to the community.

“This is so vital, to get the message out. It is very real. I read and hear about it all the time,” she said. “(Domestic abuse) is very traumatic, especially to the children.”

Oxford County Sheriff Wayne Gallant said he has seen a great change in the way law enforcement handle domestic violence.

“You can see it in how we treat it. We have an officer on domestic violence and we’re very proud of what we do. I shouldn’t have to have an officer assigned, but there are still a lot of people living in abusive situations who think that’s the way they should live,” he said. “We have zero tolerance for domestic abuse.”

Voices Committed to Change is one way for young people to learn that no one deserves to be physically or emotionally abused, Gallagher said.

“They learn from each other. They learn to look at things a little differently,” she said.

Briggs was pleased to see young people reaching out to others.

“This means so much. Thank you for being who you are,” she said.

According to a listing compiled by the Maine Department of Public Safety, as of Sept. 11, seven of the 17 homicides statewide this year are considered domestic.

[email protected]

Local teens and adults held a candlelight vigil Thursday evening at the Mexico gazebo to remember those who have died due to domestic abuse, or honor those who have survived. The vigil marked the start of Domestic Violence Month. From left, Mountain Valley High School students Renne Knox, Milo Jodrey and Karissah Anastasio attend the vigil.

Education coordinator for the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project, Diane Gallagher, lights the candles of some of those who attended a vigil for victims of domestic abuse. Seated, from left, are Mountain Valley High School students Renne Know, Milo Jodrey and Karissah Anastasio.