GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — It's not unusual to see people enjoying a walk across the Blue Bridge in downtown Grand Rapids, especially as the evening sun sinks behind the Grand Rapids Public Museum and Grand Valley State University's downtown buildings. But for dozens of people, Monday night's walkabout wasn't just a chance to enjoy the natural splendor of the Grand River before heading home.
Spread out every few feet along the railings of the Blue Bridge were laminated pieces of paper bearing the names of the 60 people in Michigan who have lost their lives to domestic violence in the last year. On the west bank of the river, those names were read aloud at a candlelight vigil observing Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
"Today is about remembrance," said Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker, who is also a member of the Domestic Violence Action Network (DVAN).
According to DVAN, 36.1% of Michigan women and 25.8% of Michigan men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner rape, and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetime. One-third of people in the LGBTQ+ community experience domestic violence in their lifetime. DVAN is trying to change all that.
"DVAN is trying to find a way to better respond, and kind of work together with our partners like Safe Haven, the YWCA, and other law enforcement agencies. It's really trying to find how can we respond better to try and stop domestic violence homicides, but also reduce the level of domestic violence period," Becker said.
"Nobody deserves to be hit. Nobody deserves to be pushed or shoved. There shouldn't be any physical violence and domestic intimate partner relationship."
Becker says a rise in domestic violence has led to increased talk about the issue.
"I think there's a growing sentiment that we can do better. We need to do better for the citizens of the county and for the victims. So, I think that has helped, albeit there's some really tragic things that have led with that," he said.
Becker says anyone experiencing immediate domestic violence should call the police. If there is a situation you want to get out of, he recommends calling Safe Haven or the YWCA.
"They're two agencies that will help generally women, but even men sometimes. They're really out there to help victims of domestic violence, trying to escape those situations. They have ways to take the kids out of the situations, because it has a tremendous impact on kids that are in that type of home," he said.
"There are there's people out there that are willing to help just reach out and ask for it."
You can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788.
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