The Office of Liberty County District Attorney Jennifer Bergman is inviting the public to attend a candlelight vigil honoring crime victims and child abuse victims on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Cleveland Civic Center, 210 Peach Ave., Cleveland, Texas.
The purpose of the vigil is to help the public honor victims of crime, their families and those who serve them and to alert the public to the realities of crime and express hope for a less violent future.
This event is part of Liberty County’s observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which will take place April 6-12, 2025. This year’s theme, “KINSHIP: Connecting and Healing,” reflects the importance of unity and support in the healing process for victims and survivors. Across the country, thousands of victim service organizations and law enforcement agencies will participate in similar observances, recognizing the progress made in securing victims’ rights while also acknowledging the work that remains.
In addition to honoring crime victims, the vigil will also commemorate Child Abuse Prevention Month, observed throughout April. The month serves as a call to action for communities to take proactive steps in preventing child abuse and neglect. The message is clear: every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving environment, and the responsibility of ensuring their well-being falls on the entire community.
According to the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas, thousands of children across the state suffer from abuse and neglect each year. Events like this vigil help shed light on these issues, encourage reporting suspected abuse, and promote stronger support systems for children and families.
“This is your opportunity to make a difference in young lives. It is hoped that this vigil will impress upon everyone that every child is entitled to be loved and that preventing child abuse is the responsibility of all citizens. Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to highlight the role we all can play to support parents and families,” according to a statement from the DA’s announcement.
April serves as an opportunity for residents to learn more about the warning signs of abuse, ways to support struggling families, and resources available for survivors. The vigil will serve as a reminder that every child has the right to a safe and nurturing childhood, and that protecting them is a shared duty.
For additional information about National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Child Abuse Prevention Month, or the upcoming Candlelight Vigil on April 10, contact Victim Assistance Coordinators Brenda Sanchez or Laurel Goodwin at the Liberty County District Attorney’s Office at 936-336-4609.