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Baton Rouge nonprofit holds 'Break the Silence' march to conclude Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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BATON ROUGE — Dozens of community members gathered in downtown Baton Rouge to close out Domestic Violence Awareness Month by taking part in the annual "Break the Silence" march.
Organized by local nonprofit The Butterfly Society, the event brought advocates, residents and local leaders together to take a public stand in support of domestic violence victims and survivors.
Outside Baton Rouge City Hall, organizers set up a visual memorial to honor lives lost to domestic abuse. Rows of empty chairs lined the grounds, with each seat displaying a victim's name alongside a pair of shoes to represent those who were killed.
Councilwoman Twahna P. Harris, who serves as the executive director of The Butterfly Society, underscored the daily reality many individuals face long after awareness campaigns end.
"Victims and survivors are not alone. We have your back," Harris said. "At the end of the day, 365 days are days when victims are living in a time where they are frightened, they are fearful, and they are making a decision: 'Do I stay or do I leave?' We want victims to know that we are here."
City leaders echoed that sentiment throughout the event, emphasizing that help is always available regardless of circumstance. The Butterfly Society provides ongoing resources, advocacy, and support services to both women and men affected by domestic violence across the Baton Rouge area.
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