Each October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is recognized across the country. To contribute to the education and prevention of this national issue, an exhibit titled An Empty Place at the Table was on display at QCC, at both the West Boylston Street and Downtown campuses.
An Empty Place at the Table is a visual reminder of the toll domestic violence takes, as the leading cause of injury to women. Each place setting memorializes the name of a woman who lost her life to domestic violence during the past year in Massachusetts.
"Our hope is that people are able to remember those who have lost their lives to intimate partner violence and to have an awareness of how situations can turn lethal," said Tara Huard, director of Domestic Violence Services for the YWCA.
The YWCA of Central Massachusetts has confidential and free resources available both in person and virtually including a 24-hour helpline 508-755-9030 and chat line ywcahelp.com. They also provide one-on-one counseling/advocacy, support groups, abusive prevention order assistance, financial literacy workshops and free clinical services.