Domestic Violence Awareness Marches Across Bong Bridge

The Twin Ports Domestic Violence Response Teams set out from both sides of the bridge to get their message out

 

“It's our kick off for October domestic abuse awareness month,” Superior Police Officer Bonnie Beste said.

 

 

Over two dozen people met in the middle to honor the victims of domestic violence.

 

“The visual on the bridge was the two groups coming together. We wanted to honor the 100 victims that have died between Minnesota and Wisconsin in this last year alone. We wanted to have a moment of silence. We lit a balloon or a lantern and watched that fall and it was a good remembrance of those lives,” Douglas County Attorney Erica Ellenwood said.

 

Douglas County District Attorney Dan Blank says this is an issue that affects the entire county.

 

“So far this year we've had 235 law enforcement reports referrals on the topic of domestic violence. That's a lot. We've got a relatively small jurisdiction,” he said.

 

Superior and Duluth mayors Bruce Hagen and Don Ness met up with the teams and proclaimed October as domestic violence awareness month as they have in previous years.

 

Ellenwood hopes the event will let victims know support is available.

 

“There are agencies that can help men and women who are in domestic violence situations. It's a crime that a lot of people don't talk about, but there are agencies and staff that are more than willing to help men and women in these situations and help empower them to move on,” she said.