COMMUNITY EVENT: A Walk in Their Shoes

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year, I was proud to be a part of "A Walk in Their Shoes," a community event hosted by the Family Violence Coordinating Council.

This event began with Mayor Sherman Lea proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month for the Roanoke Valley. We also heard from two domestic violence survivors, including Ashley Brogan Newman, who sustained multiple stab wounds from her attacker.

One of the most heart-wrenching parts of this event was the Remembrance Ceremony. The names of those who lost their lives to domestic violence were read, and butterflies hung on a remembrance tree in their honor. The event concluded with a solidarity walk around town.