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In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, community members gathered in Fremont for the Annual Candlelight Vigil to honor victims and survivors of domestic violence and to raise awareness about prevention and healing.
The event, co-organized by Maitri, Narika Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments, and the North American Islamic Shelter for the Abused, in partnership with the Fremont Human Relations Commission, drew advocates, service providers, survivors, city officials, and residents from across the Bay Area.
The evening began with a community walk, where participants carried posters with powerful messages calling for an end to domestic violence. Following the walk, survivors, advocates, and community leaders shared compelling stories of endurance, healing, and hope—reminding everyone of the strength it takes to rebuild lives after abuse, and the importance of community support in breaking the stigma.
The need for awareness and action remains critical according to the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV); on a single day—September 4, 2024—79,088 survivors received services from U.S. domestic violence programs, while 14,095 requests for help went unmet due to lack of resources.
The vigil also featured a moving program of dance, music, poetry, and art, each piece reflecting the pain of loss, the resilience of survival, and hope for a future without violence. The event concluded with a candlelight vigil and collective pledge to stand with survivors and work together to end domestic violence.
About Maitri
Maitri is a free, confidential, nonprofit organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. It primarily supports individuals and families from South Asia (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives) facing domestic violence, emotional abuse, cultural alienation, or family conflict.
Maitri’s direct services include crisis intervention, emotional support, and self-sufficiency programs. The organization also leads community education initiatives promoting healthy relationships and cultural responsiveness to build a safer and more respectful society.
For more information on DV and Homicide in South Asian Communities, go to https://www.southasiansoar.org/theirlightremains