October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and as such East Windsor officials praised Womanspace and the Domestic Violence Victim Response Team “for their commendable efforts in focusing attention on the important community subject of domestic abuse and providing support and resources for abuse victims.”
“East Windsor was the first municipality in Mercer County to step up and establish a Domestic Violence Victim Response Team with the help of Womanspace and our police department,” Mayor Janice Mironov said, according to a statement provided by the township.
A proclamation Mironov read during a Nov. 11 event states: “The East Windsor Domestic Violence Victim Response Team and Womanspace have provided a coordinated community response that has served hundreds of local residents during its years of operation, and has improved many lives in our community by advocating the importance of victim safety as well as accountability for abusers. The proactive commitment by East Windsor Township through its Domestic Violence Victim Response Team and Womanspace visibly demonstrates to our residents and surrounding municipalities that we are united in combating domestic violence and that it is unacceptable to our entire community.”
East Windsor will participate in Womanspace’s Communities of Light initiative, encouraging residents and local groups to raise funds and awareness of domestic violence and services available to victims.
“We hope that our participation will help focus public attention on the important subject of domestic violence and to encourage residents to become more aware of support efforts available to victims and families. As a community, we wish to express our strong support for organizations like Womanspace and our local Domestic Violence Victim Response Team and to recognize the important assistance they provide to victims of domestic violence,” Mironov said. “The lighting of luminaries is a unique means of increasing local awareness of the ongoing presence of domestic violence in all of our communities and to serve as a symbol of hope for all those who struggle with violence in their homes.”
Residents and businesses can purchase candles and gather at 5 p.m. Dec. 6 at the East Windsor Municipal Building, 16 Lanning Blvd., to light up the building, followed by light refreshments.
The luminary kits contain six candles each for $10. Purchase at any time at the Police/Municipal Court Building, 80 One Mile Road. All proceeds will go 100% directly to Womanspace, the primary Mercer County organization providing a comprehensive array of services to individuals affected by domestic violence and dedicated to improving the quality of life of abuse victims and their families.
For more information, call 609-448-5678, ext. 236.
