Residents come out against domestic violence

The Kona Domestic Violence Awareness Peace Walk and Vigil was held Friday afternoon in Kailua-Kona.

The community, as well as victims and survivors of abuse, wore purple and displayed signs to raise awareness of domestic violence in our community during the event held at Lanihau Center.

Each year, the West Hawaii Family Inter-agency Committee holds the event to bring recognition to the issue amid National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which continues through Oct. 31.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from a “Day of Unity” held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The “Day of Unity” soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national level.