By Sarah Light, staff writer

Remember their names.

They may be young or old, male or female, rich or poor. But they all have one thing in common: They died as a result of domestic violence and must never be forgotten.

That was the message that emerged Thursday from a candlelight vigil that brought out about 50 area residents to raise awareness of the nationwide problem of domestic violence.

During the event, residents met at the Freeborn County Government Center to retrieve lighted candles and then walked down Broadway Avenue to the gazebo at Fountain Lake Park to talk about the seriousness of domestic abuse.

In Minnesota alone last year, at least 20 women and 12 children lost their lives to domestic violence, while 29 children were left motherless, according to the most recent Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women Femicide Report.

And while there is a renewed focus on this type of abuse this month because of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, domestic violence is something that people need to be aware of on a year-round basis, victim&8217;s advocate Ilene Grosam said.

For example, if people see a need, they should step in and offer assistance, she said. They should also model acceptable behavior and make an effort to learn more about the abuse.

&8220;Stopping or reducing domestic violence takes more than changing laws or policies,&8221; said Scott Golbuff, Freeborn County Sheriff&8217;s Office detective.

Every person has a role in improving the community&8217;s response to abuse, and it is not something that law enforcement can do alone, Golbuff said.

&8220;They&8217;re still there; they&8217;re still coming into the ER,&8221; said Jane Madsen, with the Albert Lea Medical Center, of the reality of domestic violence victims locally.

During her experience alone, she said, she has seen individuals ranging in age from newborns to older than 65 who have been affected by domestic violence.

As a healthcare provider, she uses her eyes and ears to help sense what might be going on with people who come into the emergency room and then helps guide them to resources when in need.

Madsen, who also teaches restorative parenting classes to participants in the Domestic Abuse Program, said she teaches these people that they do have the choice to change.

&8220;They can learn and restore a relationship with their children,&8221; she said.

Barb Sorum, senior program coordinator with Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota, reminded people to get involved and to contact someone if there are problems going on in with a friend or family member.

&8220;There is no excuse for abuse,&8221; Sorum said. &8220;It&8217;s 100 percent preventable.&8221;

At the end of the program, a flower was dropped into Fountain Lake for each domestic violence victim in Minnesota from last year.

&8220;I used to say that I was a victim of domestic violence,&8221; said Lesley Robinson, as she shared briefly her past of abuse. &8220;But I like to say I&8217;m a survivor.&8221;

To get involved with the fight against domestic abuse, contact the Crime Victim&8217;s Crisis Center in person at 203 W. Clark St. or by phone at 377-5460 or 373-2223.