Story and photos by Carolyn Campbell
On a sunny Wednesday in October as a gentle breeze filled the streets of Alpine nearly two dozen marchers carrying banners , flanked by nearly as many police cars with lights flashing , marched in solidarity with the victims of domestic violence . Survivors , families , advocates and community members joined with the
Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend for the first annual Zuzu Verk Memorial walk and vigil honoring her and other victims of Domestic Violence . Verk , 21 , was murdered by her boyfriend Robert Fabian in 2016 .
Program director Gina Wilcox addressed the crowd that had doubled in size by the time they reached the courthouse . “ In 2020 , 228 Texans were killed by their intimate partner . This is the highest number recorded in the last decade . Victims ranged in age from 14 years old to 90 years old . That was 183 women killed by their male intimate partner , 40 men killed by their female intimate partner , one woman and four men killed by their same sex partner .” As candles were lit , she stated , “ It can happen to anyone . Everyone knows someone .”
Domestic Violence Awareness Candlelight Vigil
Letty Carillo , Big Bend Family Crisis Center Community Lunch , Terlingua
“ If it weren ’ t for the Crisis Center , I ’ m not sure where I ’ d be today . They gave me housing , then work , and even now , as staff we get counseling . I have my life back . When I come here , it ’ s not work . Each day I know I ’ m giving a family a chance .”
6 Big Bend Real Estate Guide • February 2022