LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) – Lima Memorial Health System is hosting a powerful display honoring the women, men, and children who lost their lives to domestic violence.
In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Crossroads Crisis Center set up its Silent Witness Initiative in the hospital’s Welcome Center through Oct. 15. The project, which began in 1990, features life-size silhouettes representing 23 women, two men, and 11 children who were killed as a result of domestic violence. By hosting the Silent Witness display, Lima Memorial hopes to raise awareness and encourage those in unsafe situations to seek help.
“It's super impactful for our community and our staff and our hospital in particular, because a lot of times, we're the first responders for this type of event. So, it's really a great opportunity for us to collaborate with community partners such as Crossroads,” says Richelle Nagel, LMHS Emergency Department Director.
The display also serves as a sobering reminder that domestic violence affects every community.
“The Ohio Domestic Violence Network just came out with their fatality report. So, when we're looking at these silhouettes and we're thinking about what is happening in communities across Ohio, 95 victims lost their lives due to domestic violence from June of 2024 to July of 2025, 73% being female. So, we really just want to highlight that this is happening everywhere in Ohio," says Christel Keller, Ex. Dir., Crossroads Crisis Center.
Crossroads will hold its annual candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at Trinity United Methodist Church. The event is open to the public and honors the victims who lost their lives to domestic violence.
