“We’re going to light candles on behalf of domestic violence survivors,” Pastoor said. “It’s a place for survivors to access … support from those who are working to end domestic violence.”

The event was organized by End Violent Encounters, Capital Area Response Effort, MSU Safe Place and the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing.
The vigil is held every year in October in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month often does not get enough public attention, said Susan Risdon, a National Domestic Violence Hotline spokeswoman.

“It’s hard with Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October because we’re competing with Breast Cancer (Awareness Month),” Risdon said. “You see pink everywhere but not enough purple.”

Risdon said people between the ages of 18 and 24 constitute 15 percent of calls the National Domestic Violence Hotline receives. Risdon said situations on campus such as drinking, meeting new people and being away from home for the first time can lead to situations of abuse.

Technologies popular on campuses, such as texting and social networking sites, are also sources of domestic abuse, Risdon said. Some partners try to control their victim through constant messaging or phone calls, Risdon said.

“Now with all the digital technology out there, there’s so many other ways someone can become a victim of abuse,” Risdon said. “It’s not just physical abuse, it’s emotional.”

A list of Ingham County residents who died because of domestic violence was read during the vigil. According to the information, about 24 people have died since last year.

Pastoor said the information does not fully represent the victims of domestic violence because abuse often goes unreported.

MSU Safe Place has a shelter on campus to house victims of domestic abuse and provide support.

The shelter can house up to 18 families at a time, and houses about 65 to 90 people every year, said Alyssa Bauman, a volunteer and advocacy coordinator for the shelter. An additional 50 to 75 people use their non-residential services.

“Domestic violence happens everywhere, whether in the community or on campus,” Bauman said. “It’s an important issue we need to be addressing.”

Sometimes community members do not realize domestic violence is happening because the families involved do not know where to go for help, said third-year graduate student Tiago Antonio, a volunteer with Gateway Community Services who attended the vigil.

“Based on the conversations I’ve had, (domestic violence) is still a big issue,” Antonio said. “Domestic violence may happen even if it seems like it’s not.”