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A Candlelight Vigil was held in Yorkton last Tuesday to help mark Violence Awareness Week in the city.

December 6th had been designated as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women. The day marks the 22nd year since the Montreal Massacre when 14 women were murdered by a lone gunman at a Montreal University.

However, in Yorkton the event was about violence against all, said Melinda Davis, one of the event organizers, not just violence against women, but against children and men as well.

The event, held at SIGN on Broadway attracted some 50 people who took part in a Candlelight Walk down Broadway as a way to raise awareness about violence in society.

Davis said events such as the walk, and the speaker and candle lighting, are ways to get people at least thinking about the impact of violence.

"Violence is not something people really want to look at. It's kept behind closed doors," she said.

The week is recognized in the city as a means of emphasizing the need for the entire community to work together to eliminate violence.

"The reality of violence affects each and every one of us; whether it is through our children, the legal system or the health care system," said LaVern Dumka of Shelwin House, one of the member organizations of the Committee at a recent meeting of Yorkton Council.

At the time Dumka said violence affects almost everyone either directly, or in-directly.

"The reality of violence affects each of us. One in four Canadian women have experienced abuse from their partner. The children will often see, hear or be a victim of abuse in these situations. The children are the silent victims," she said. "To begin to understand the seriousness of domestic violence, one can count every fourth house on their street and reflect back on the stat that one in four women is abused by their partner."

An event, like the one in Yorkton Tuesday may help open that closed door for some.

"The more people that come out, hopefully the more people realize there is help out there," offered Davis.

Following the walk Bernice Cartwright spoke about her journey of abuse, which started at age 17, and how she was able to move on to a life without abuse, said Davis.

The evening concluded with a candle lighting, which Davis said "was the most powerful" part of the night.

With Rayanne Ottenbreit singing Amazing Grace, followed by a minute-of-silence, Davis said it was a chance for those in attendance to "remember those that have lost their lives," and those still facing the trauma of abuse.

"There was a lot of impact with the candle lighting," said Davis.