STAR JOURNAL REPORT

Anyone walking along Courtney Street, on the block in front of the Trig’s green space, will notice 51 solar lanterns with purple stems. Each lantern represents a Wisconsin life lost to domestic violence in 2015.

“We tied a ribbon around them, and each one lists a name, age and county of a person whose life was lost as a victim of domestic homicide,” said Mel K., an advocate working for Tri-County Council for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Inc. “We wanted to make it a little more real this year.”
The domestic homicide count in Wisconsin is at 64 thus far in 2015.

Tri-County employees, advocates and friends also participated in Chalk Walk, by creating inspirational messages on the sidewalk and drawing uplifting pictures to honor victims and survivors of domestic violence. Mel says the goal is to raise awareness for people to come out and receive services.

“Tell somebody about it because people will believe you,” she said. “Perpetrators do the best they can to make victims appear crazy or helpless and hopeless but there is hope and that’s why we are here. That’s why we exist. We do believe them.”

Tri-County will be hosting a series of support groups for the month, Mondays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Call Mel at 715-362-6841 for more information and location of the support group.