Vigil held to remember domestic violence victims
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- People in Fayetteville remembered the victims of domestic violence Thursday evening.
Dozens of people including law enforcement officers gathered on the courthouse steps for the "Remember My Name" memorial.
Angela Tolerson lived a real-life horror story of domestic violence.
"Most people would ask me 'Why did you stay with him,'" she said. "We were not married two weeks before he hit me again. This time he choked me and kicked me while I was pregnant."
Ironically, Angela's story is not about being a victim, but a survivor. She is working now to rebuild her life.
Close to 100 people stood outside the courthouse to hear Tolerson's story and to hold battery powered candles to honor 108 men, women, and children who were victims across the state last year. Many of those names were familiar.
Danielle Locklear was beaten to death by her boyfriend and then dropped into a river. In another incident, a shooting rampage killed a grandfather and his grandson. In a third incident a shooter killed a mother and son and wounded her daughter before turning the gun on himself.
Sheriff Earl Moose Butler said domestic violence seems to be getting worse, not better.
"I think between 30-40 percent of calls are domestic violence," Butler said. "I am telling you it's critical for law enforcement officers to walk in to it."
Butler said his deputies have received extra training on dealing with domestic violence.
Several teachers and counselors also attended the vigil. Besides honoring the victims of domestic violence, they were also looking for ideas, and answers.
"It starts way before you get into high school," said Carrol Olinger. "As educators, we can. We do talk with younger children. We are talking about changing a mindset."
Organizers said vigils are important. Spreading the word and raising awareness of domestic violence will hopefully reduce the number of more real life horror stories.
