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TOLEDO -- Mourners gathered at the Sanger Library on Central Avenue Thursday to remember women who were victims of domestic-violence related homicides in recent months.

The vigil, already the third this year, was held in front of the Violence Against Women Memorial Rock, which adorns the library's front lawn. A brief vigil is held at the rock each time a woman from this region is the victim of a domestic homicide. 

The lives of eight women were honored: Tiffany Wilborn, Jazmon Hoskins, and Leslie Waingrow, all from Toledo. Mother and daughter Carlin and Andrea Glenn from Lima. Sisters Amy Merrill and Lisa Gritzmaker from Blissfield, MI., and Leandra Frankum from Perrysburg Heights. A moment of silence gave those who gathered a chance to pay respect to those lost. 

"This vigil was an opportunity for the community to come together and say we're a community that cares, that we want to take action on violence against women." said Diane Docis, a member of the Take Back the Night Collective.

Docis advocates "speaking up when you see something abusive, educating yourself, and bringing a program to your school or other community group." She continued, "Each of these acts helps to create a community of non-violence."

As a memorial the Silent Witness Project creates a wooden free-standing silhouette figure of each victim along with a plaque emblazoned across the front. The project began in 2001 and has continued with each victim since.

"It's unfortunate that we have to gather again this summer," said Alcy Barakat. "We look to a day where we don't have to meet again like this."

Thursday's vigil was sponsored by the Take Back the Night Collective, Independent Advocates, and the Toledo chapter of the National Organization for Women.

What can we do as a community to help prevent domestic violence? Let us know on our Facebook fanpage.