Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence, Santa Clara County’s oldest and largest non-profit domestic violence service provider, announced that its annual “Light Up the Night” ceremony and gala will be held virtually on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 6 to 8 p.m.
The event is an evening of celebration, inspiration, and remembrance of recent victims of domestic violence, said Next Door Solutions in a press release. It is intended to raise awareness and generate support for victims of domestic violence by creating an apparatus for community, fundraising and to amplify caring for individuals and families.
“Light Up the Night” coincides with October’s National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Additional event details and tickets can be found at the registration page, bit.ly/LUTN2020. The online event is open to the public with tickets starting at $25.
Upon purchase of a ticket, table or sponsorship, participants will be emailed a link to access the proceedings that will include inspiring video messages, a valuable raffle prize, silent & live auctions, and a moving candle-lighting ceremony. A listing of the raffle and auction prizes can be found at: bit.ly/LUTNCatalog.
“Sadly, demand for our services by victims of domestic abuse has skyrocketed during the last few months due to COVID-19,” said Esther Peralez-Dieckmann, executive director of Next Door Solutions. “The economic hardship generated by COVID-19, combined with many instances where vulnerable people forced to shelter in place with abusers, has created a perfect storm in the worst way for a spike in domestic violence. The citizens of Santa Clara County have always provided overwhelming support for efforts of victims to become survivor. We are asking for their help again on behalf of our clients who come from all walks of life, regardless of race, age, gender or economic status.”
The event is presented by TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) along with generous sponsors including the Wilson Sonsini Foundation, the Alessandra Foundation, El Camino Health, and Stanford Health Care.
Quick facts about domestic violence:
- One in four women and one in 10 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner according to the Center for Decease Control (CDC National Survey 2020).
- Over the last five years, the average length of stay at Shelter Next Door has increased 52 percent, from 25 days to 38 days — some families needed to stay for 90 days or longer.
- In Santa Clara County, since 1994, there have been an average of 12 domestic violence-related deaths each year
- Next Door Solutions received nearly 15,000 calls to its 24/7 hotline during the course of the last year
- More than 2,700 Santa Clara County residents received nearly 23,000 services from Next Door Solutions, including shelter, crisis counseling, peer counseling, risk assessment, safety planning, case management, assistance with basic needs, information and referrals, and advocacy with other service providers
- Of those, more than 580 clients received 2,400 services from Next Door Solutions for legal advocacy, assistance with filing temporary restraining orders, case consultations, and court accompaniment