YWCA Greenwich Vigil Honors 23 Lives Lost Last Year from Domestic Violence in CT

The YWCA Greenwich Harmony Project’s annual community candlelight vigil took place on Wednesday, marking the close of Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention month. The event was held indoors this year and the turnout was strong, including a visit from US Senator from Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal.

Also in attendance were State Reps Hector Arzeno (D-151), Tina Courpas (R-149) and Steve Meskers (D-150), as well as Greenwich Selectwoman Rachel Khanna.

YWCA Greenwich president and CEO Mary Lee Kiernan welcomed the full house and shared some context to the issue in 2026.

“All of these battles around budgets and funding of domestic and sexual violence services, plus ongoing battles for reforms of domestic violence laws, plus the rising wave of hate and violence everywhere – whether nationally or on college campuses – all of this represents large scale trauma, layered on top of the personal trauma of domestic and sexual violence,” Kiernan said.

“This backdrop really does directly impact the safety and well being of survivors in unique and harmful ways,” she said. “But still, like air, we rise, as the great Maya Angelou said.”

Jacqueline Collazo, Director of Harmony Project, described domestic violence is a painful, often hidden struggle that affects individuals and families in every community.

She thanked the men and women of the Greenwich Police Department, especially those who respond to domestic violence calls with courage, compassion and professionalism.

She especially thanked Police Chief Jim Heavey, Sergeant Ryan Carino and Officer Sabrina Diaz.

“Your dedication is noted. Your support, guidance and partnership with the Harmony Project is greatly appreciated,” Collazo said. “Thank you for caring.”

Collazo said she had worked with survivors of domestic violence for 27 years, describing the work as including moments the hotline will ring at midnight from someone whispering because an abuser is in the next room, or a child calling because their mother is crying.

“It looks like a mother holding a garbage bag of clothing and a child’s favorite stuffed animal because that’s all she can carry in the moment. It looks someone sitting in our office for the first time saying, ‘I don’t even know if this counts as domestic violence.’ And I tell them, ‘If you are afraid it definitely counts,'” Collazo said.

She noted the most dangerous time for a victim is often when they try to leave an abusive relationship. That is why the process requires planning, support and a place to go.

Last year the Harmony Project answered 3,078 hotline calls, representing an increase from the previous year, when there were 2,413 calls.

Not only have hotline calls increased, but specific victimization has increased.

“For example, we are hearing more from survivors that they are being strangled by their partner,” Collazo added. “That tells us that not every abuser is the same, obviously. The abuser has the capability of killing their partner.”

Quoting a statistic from the National Strangulation Training Institute, Collazo said an abuser who puts their hands around the victim’s neck, even once, increases the chance that the abuser will kill her by 800%.

“And that 800% is not in her lifetime. That likelihood that he will kill her is in the next year,” she said.

Collazo said domestic violence takes place in Greenwich, where it persists as the number one violent crime most reported to police.

Last year, 23 lives were taken as a result of domestic violence in Connecticut, mostly by an intimate partner, but also by family members, with the ages of victims ranging from one year old to 83 years old.

The victims include a woman from Greenwich who was killed by her son.

Collazo listed the signs of domestic violence: isolation, control over money, constant monitoring and sudden changes in a loved one.

US Senator Richard Blumenthal presented a certificate of special recognition to the recipient of the Purple Ribbon Award, Elizabeth Butler, and acknowledged Angela Lizcano Sanabria, the Lavender Ribbon Award honoree.

“I’m so glad to see the men who are here, because this is not a women’s issue,” Blumenthal said. “It is all of our issue.”

“Not long ago, I formed an organization, composed of men as role models because what we know for sure about domestic violence and sexual assault is that men do it – men are primarily responsible – and 75% of them have seen or experienced it in their own lives,” Blumenthal said. “It is a cycle that needs to be broken, by good people, men and women standing up and providing the kind of leadership that the YWCA provides, every day, 365 days a year.”

Jessie DiMuzio, Director of Programs at Harmony Project, described Purple Ribbon Honoree, Ms Butler’s commitment to human rights and social justice.

She said while attending Fordham University School of Law, Ms Butler participated in the Battered Women’s Advocacy Program, and was awarded a fellowship with the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, serving as a Guardian ad Litem in Manhattan Superior Court.

After earning a Connecticut State Advocate certification in 2014 , she volunteered for five years with Harmony Project’s criminal court victim advocacy program in Stamford Superior Court.

In 2019 she joined the YWCA Greenwich Civil Legal Clinic where she continues to offer not only trauma-informed legal expertise, but compassion, sharing legal guidance in both English and Spanish.

The inaugural Lavender Ribbon Award was presented to Angela Lizcano Sanabria, who is co-president of YNET, a group that works to raise awareness of teen dating violence.

YNET was originally started at Greenwich High School in 1996 – 30 years ago. The group has expanded into Brunswick and Sacred Heart Greenwich.

Angela joined YNET as a freshman at GHS and has gone above and beyond, year round, in her efforts to make the Harmony Project and YNET known in the community.

Angela volunteers at New Lebanon School with students in grades K-3. She also mentors middle school girls, having meaningful conversations with them about friendships and relationships.

During the event, attendees were each provided a white rose and a candle to light to remember those who lost their lives due to domestic violence.

For anyone who needs help, the Harmony Project’s 24/7 hotline is (203) 622-0003.

See also:

YWCA “Walk the Walk” Draws Attention to Town’s Most-Reported Violent Crime: Domestic Violence

Oct 6, 2026