An intimate group of about 20 people at the Survivor Speak OutCandlelight Vigil Wednesday night sat in silence in front of theLSU Memorial Tower for a few moments as their candles burned, somebowing their heads with their eyes closed.
One by one, people– either survivors of domestic violence orfriends of survivors– stepped to the front of the sitting group torelate their stories. Some of the stories evoked painfulemotions.
One girl confessed she had been telling a story “as a joke”about an abusive couple she knew for several years because itsounded like an episode of the Jerry Springer television talkshow.
As she told how the man abused his partner, a woman, in publicon a group trip to the beach, she began to cry and said she wouldnever again tell the story as a joke, and said she had lost contactwith the couple and hoped the woman still was alive.
Another speaker, a survivor of sexual assault, said “It’s greatto speak out in this environment and get it off my chest.”
To keep the vigil a safe space, participants had to abide bycertain rules. The speakers were anonymous, and no one listening totheir testimonials could comment on their stories.
Though the candles barely stayed lit because of a light breeze,the spirit of remembrance still was present.
“I like walking these steps the next day and seeing the candlewax,” said Amber Vlasnik, manager of the Women’s Center. “It’s areminder that this isn’t just one night. Let this be a step foryou.”
Wendy Bourg, a member of Women Organizing Women and LSU alumna,said the Women’s Center and WOW have co-sponsored the vigil forseven or eight years.
Bourg said for many of the people who come to the vigil, it isthe first time they voice their experiences to others.
Bryan Costello, an industrial engineering senior, said therenever have been more than 100 people at the vigil, and the personalfeeling of the vigil make speakers feel comfortable talking abouttheir experiences.
“I think it’s more prominent than people know about,” LuluRidolfo, a petroleum engineering junior and WOW treasurer, said.”[Domestic and sexual abuse] is not really talked about. If it’s aproblem, it’s your problem.”