Light Up the Night to Honor Victims of Domestic Abuse

UCF Victim Services will host Light Up the Night Monday, Oct. 3, to honor the lives of victims of domestic abuse.

Light Up the Night will start in the Pegasus Ballroom of the Student Union at 6 p.m. The event, which is open to the public, is held annually to “break the silence and end the violence” of those who have lost their lives due to intimate partner violence. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

At Light Up the Night, survivors will share their stories to raise awareness, and resources will be shared for those involved in a violent relationship.

“We hope that participants will understand what dating violence is and how they can identify it, and understand the impact that it can have on individuals and the communities,” said Christine Mouton, the director of UCF Victim Services.

Light Up the Night also will remember fellow Knights who were needlessly lost through a memorial called an Empty Place at the Table. The symbolic observance references a seat left empty due to the effects of intimate partner violence.

“This year, as part of our Empty Place at the Table memorial, we will collectively recognize the deceased Pulse victims at one of the place settings,” Mouton said.

If you or someone you know is suffering from intimate partner abuse or domestic violence, contact UCF Victim Services at 407-823-2425 or call your local law enforcement agency.