Safe Berks hosts march to honor domestic violence victims | Reading Area

READING, Pa. — A group that helps survivors of domestic violence delivered a moving message in Reading.

Safe Berks hosted its annual Silent Witness March.

Red silhouettes are carried through downtown Reading, representing lives lost to domestic violence in Berks County.

Organizers say 89 people in the county have died of domestic abuse.

They added three new silhouettes this year.

The march starts at Safe Berks’ Reading office and continues to Reading Area Community College for a special ceremony.

“My mom was… she was my best friend, and we talked on the phone every day, and when she got hurt, my world came crumbling down. I just feel as though I have to keep her legacy alive,” said Luis Serrano, who participated in Tuesday’s walk.

“This event allows us to bring awareness to the fact that domestic violence homicide does occur in our community, and more importantly, it gives a time for the friends, the family and the loved ones of those who have lost their lives to gather together and feel supported,” said Beth Garrigan, CEO of Safe Berks.

This is the 24th year Safe Berks has hosted the march.