AUBURN — October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Safe Voices is hosting Standing Up, Speaking Out, a series of memorial vigils throughout Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties.

The goal of these vigils is to honor those who have lost their lives to domestic violence, offer hope to those still facing abuse and support those who have survived domestic violence.

The vigils will be happening Monday, Oct. 1, beginning at 6 p.m., rain or shine. The Androscoggin County vigil will begin at Festival Plaza in Auburn and will include a short candlelit procession across the bridge to Veterans Park in Lewiston. Guest speakers from the community will share their thoughts on the issue of domestic violence in our community.

The vigil on Oct. 1 is open to the public, and we encourage anyone interested to attend and show their support. Domestic violence is a community problem, but together we can “End the Silence and Stop the Violence.”

In addition to the vigils, Safe Voices is conducting a Paint the County Purple campaign, encouraging businesses and individuals to put up purple lights and other decorations for the month of October. Purple lightbulbs can be purchased through the Safe Voices website at www.safevoices.org, where you can also find a list of other events happening throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

For more information contact Amanda Carlson at Safe Voices, 795-6744, ext. 25, or via email at [email protected]. If you or someone you know is in a domestic violence situation, please call Safe Voices’ 24-hour helpline at 1-800-559-2927.