Silent Witness Project Memorializes Victims of Abuse at Local Businesses

Have you seen one of these red ladies around town? These life size wood cut-outs are part of a large statewide exhibit called the Silent Witness Project. Each red cut-out memorializes a woman or child who has been killed by domestic violence in the last 20 years in Montana.  Dr. Maxwell from Abundant Health Family Chiropractic is working with HAVEN to distribute the witnesses  to other HAVEN supporters around town. Check them out at First Security Bank, Bridger CrossFit, Insty Prints and more! Each cut-out has a gold shield with the name of the victim and where she is from. This exhibit is incredibly moving and a somber reminder of the gravity of abusive situations.

HAVEN, the local domestic violence shelter, is welcoming the display to Bozeman as a way to raise awareness to kick off October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month. HAVEN offers support for victims of abuse in Gallatin County. Their services include a 24-hour crisisline, 15-bed emergency shelter, legal advocacy, support groups, individual counseling and prevention education.

The witnesses will be on display with the rest of their peers at the Drop and Trot race to benefit HAVEN on Sept. 24 at Lindley Park. For more information about HAVEN or the Drop and Trot 10k and 5k race, visit www.havenmt.org. For more information on the Silent Witness Project, visit http://mtsilentwitness.org/.