A candlelight vigil and remembrance ceremony will be held this Thursday in remembrance of those who have been harmed or who have lost their lives as a result of domestic violence.

The event is part of a schedule recognizing domestic assault awareness month throughout October, organized by the Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center in Fort Dodge.

The vigil will start at 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 400 S. 13th St., and is free to the public. It will be accompanied by a featured speaker, music by soloist Jennifer Brown and reading of the names of those who have lost their lives due to domestic violence in Iowa. Free refreshments and fellowship will follow the event.

This year’s speaker, Samantha McCollough, will share the story of her experience with domestic violence.

Since the beginning of 1995, 319 people have been killed in Iowa as a result of domestic violence. Nine more have been killed since the last Attorney General report in April this year.