Every 15 seconds a woman in the United States is physically abused, according to the Family Violence Prevention Fund.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In observance, the Lawrence County Domestic Violence Task Force will have a candlelight vigil and balloon launch at 5 p.m. Thursday at Ohio University Southern’s Bowman Auditorium.

Task Force Director Elaine Payne said the event’s keynote speaker is Nikki Bryant, a former victim of domestic violence.

Payne said the vigil has a purpose: to be aware of what domestic violence is and how much it affects the victims.

“I want people to know its there, it does exist and we need to do something about it,” Payne said. “And we want people to reach out and help.”

This is the first time the local task force has had a candlelight vigil.

Mayor Rich Blankenship will read a proclamation making October Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the city of Ironton. The Rev. David Peoples, pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, will give the invocation.

The Mt. Olive Baptist Church choir will perform as will soloist Rick Payne. The Rev. Jim Williams of Central Christian Church will offer the benediction.

The task force will also raffle off a $100 gas card. For more information about the raffle, you may call the task force at 532-7284.