TURNERS FALLS — Amid the bright, autumn hues of Peskeompskut Park, purple candlelight illuminated the message of advocacy and remembrance for those impacted by domestic violence during the inaugural “Light the Bridge” gathering on Thursday.
The event, hosted by the Franklin County/North Quabbin Domestic Violence Task Force, was held to raise awareness about domestic violence in rural communities during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. More than 50 people, including organization leaders, law enforcement officials and community members, gathered to stand up against domestic violence, while also sharing resources and honoring victims.
The “Light the Bridge” name came from the planned illumination of the Turners Falls-Gill Bridge with purple lights to accompany the Peskeompskut Park gathering as a way of raising awareness. Although the plan for people to gather on the bridge with lights was canceled over an accessibility issue, purple lights were still placed there.
“Your presence here tonight makes a statement that domestic violence isn’t a private issue, it’s a community issue,” said Katie Rosewarne, director of domestic and sexual violence projects for the Northwestern District Attorneys’ Office. “You are not alone. The community sees you and is here to support you.”
Resilience Center of Franklin County Executive Director Amanda Sanderson shared that the idea for “Light the Bridge” came from discussions within the Domestic Violence Task Force, where projects were identified for community education and outreach, and a suggestion from a member of The Heartwing Center (formerly the Montague Catholic Social Ministries).
“We were able to do this in two months and we had a great turnout, which I think really shows that people want to honor survivors and they want to show their support, and it’s not always clear how to do that,” Sanderson said.
Sanderson discussed the value of resource-sharing to empower those who are witnessing or experiencing domestic violence to reach out. Salasin Project Director Becky Lockwood led a group of task force members, who shared quotes from local people impacted by domestic violence, including victims, members of law enforcement and advocates, highlighting these unique experiences. For Spanish speakers, translations were provided by Gabriela Palacios, a community advocate at The Resilience Center of Franklin County.
Thomas Taaffe, executive director of The Brick House Community Resource Center, pointed out the support of multiple organizations that made the gathering possible, while sharing the progress made toward combating domestic violence locally.
“There’s still so much to be done, even to get people to understand … what leads to violence, or what is setting a situation up that could become violent, and we can’t do it by ourselves,” he said. “We need you.”
When asked about the value of such an event during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Lockwood said this can help show abuse victims that there are people who care and that speaking out is OK.
“We have to have these conversations with one another and with our families, or in our faith communities, or in our AA meetings, or wherever it is that we’re going, so that people know that [domestic violence is] not OK,” she said.
‘We can’t look the other way’
This gathering is held during a time of increased need for assistance, with Sanderson previously saying the Resilience Center of Franklin County (formerly the New England Learning Center for Women in Transition) had 497 walk-in appointments last year and served more than 2,500 people from July 1, 2024, to June 30 of this year. Additionally, her organization will see impacts from cuts to federal funding to the state Department of Public Health, which provides around $1.1 million of its $1.8 million budget. Lockwood said the Salasin Project is also seeing an increased demand for its services.
Even with uncertainty looming regarding funding, commitment to the cause remains. Both Franklin County Sheriff Lori Streeter and Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan shared their dedication to combating domestic violence within their respective offices.
“We are becoming a huge part of the community and we’re doing whatever we can to jump in wherever,” Streeter said about having the Sheriff’s Office at the event. “It’s not just a town issue. It’s a community issue, and so we’re doing what we can to support that.”
“We want people to be accountable, and more importantly, we want people to be safe,” Sullivan said. “These relationships that involve violence have to end. It’s an epidemic, and we have to, as a community, address that. We can’t look the other way.”
Sanderson said she thinks there is a true commitment to partnership in the effort to confront domestic violence. She hopes the “Light the Bridge” event will only grow in the future.
“It shows that they are invested and they care,” Sanderson said. “We have the opportunity to grow for next year, and bring even more awareness to Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the needs of survivors in our community, which, of course, are safety and housing and resources for rebuilding their lives.”
