By By Lisa Tindell – news writer
Candles burned Thursday night in Bell Chapel at First Baptist Church in honor and remembrance of those who have suffered at the hands of violence.
The Escambia County Domestic Violence Task Force hosted the candlelight vigil to honor those who have survived domestic abuse and to remember those who did not.
Leigh Shaughnessy began the evening by reading a poem that focused on just how many people suffer at the hands of loved ones.
Also during the evening the more than 50 people present for the vigil stood and made a pledge of commitment to acknowledge the pain and suffering as well as work for safety of the community.
Renee Cain, victim advocate with ECDVTF, recited staggering numbers for the cases reported in Escambia County.
Those numbers are only the calls that come through the office and do not begin to give details on just how many calls are not made by victims, Cain said.
Statistics Cain gave during her time at the podium indicated 319 offenses had been reported with 116 arrests to this point in 2006.
Wanda Fowler, who is a member of the ECDVTF, and the Poarch Creek Indians, formerly worked with Penelope House in the Mobile area.
The vigil ended after musical selections by April Hamric and a prayer presented by Cain.