“I wish we didn’t have to do this.”
These heartfelt words from Karen Carpenter of Victim Advocates Reaching Out, VARO, set the tone for the 2024 Silent Witness ceremony on Friday at Guam Community College.
The annual event is dedicated to those who lost their lives to sexual assault and domestic violence, and those who continue to fight for safety and justice.
As candles were lit in memory of the victims, their stories unfolded.
Their lives were tragically cut short, yet remembered with love and determination.
The ceremony included a moving ritual—the Silent Witness lighting of candles.
As the names of victims were called out, their stories of loss were told, and a family member walked to the front of the room to light a candle in their memory.
Wooden silhouettes painted red and displayed around the auditorium symbolized the victims—women, children, and even a man.
Each silhouette bore a plaque with the victim’s name, birth and death dates, and the story of how their lives were tragically taken due to sexual assault or domestic violence.
Matthew Quinata, whose sister Melissa was killed by her husband in 1984, was among those in attendance at the annual event that’s very dear to the family.
“It means awareness for domestic violence and remembrance of my sister and those who were victims,” Quinata said on the importance of the Silent Witness ceremony. “We’ve got to continue making awareness because domestic violence continues on the island.”
When his sister Melissa lost her life to domestic violence, she left behind three young children.
As the candles flickered and the stories were shared during the Friday ceremony, the message was clear: The fight to end domestic violence and sexual assault on Guam is not over, but the community’s resolve remains unwavering.
‘We must keep fighting’
VARO’s Carpenter spoke about the ongoing need to raise awareness and push for change.
“Our community, unfortunately, has a fairly high rate of domestic and family violence. We need to come together and decide that we don’t want to do this anymore,” Carpenter said. “Everybody working in this field wishes we didn’t have to do this. I think every year, I pray maybe we won’t have a new witness this year. But as long as there are new names to be added, we must keep fighting.”
The Archdiocese of Agana’s Saint Anthony Catholic Church, the Guam Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence, and the Governor’s Community Outreach-Federal Programs Office organized Friday’s event to bring the community together in the ongoing fight against tragic forms of violence. This year’s ceremony took place at GCC’s Multimedia Auditorium.
Several students from GCC attended the event for the first time, having come across the invitation on campus.
Claudia Concepcion, a GCC student, shared that they were initially curious but felt compelled to pay their respects once they understood the significance of the ceremony.
“We just came inside, and hopefully we can give our respects and wishes to the people who passed away,” she said.
The students expressed how vital it is for younger generations to be aware of the impact of domestic violence and to take part in events that build a stronger, more supportive community.
Diana Calvo from Catholic Social Services also emphasized the importance of community vigilance in preventing violence.
“When we live in a community where we are not watching out for each other, it doesn’t make for a healthy or safe community,” she said.
She went on to stress the need for early education and communal support.
“Educating everyone—from our littlest children to adults—about respecting themselves and others is key to stopping this cycle of violence,” she said.
Calvo highlighted the efforts of Catholic Social Services in offering protective shelter, social work services, and continuous support to victims, even after they leave the shelter.
The Silent Witness ceremony originated in Minnesota in 1990, to honor women who lost their lives to domestic violence. The event has since expanded nationwide, with ceremonies held annually in every U.S. state and territory.
On Guam, it has become a powerful way to raise awareness and give a voice to the silent victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence.
As families and advocates gathered to remember the victims, the sense of shared grief and solidarity filled the room.
Yet, the event also served as a testament to the strength and resilience of survivors and their families, who continue to fight for a safer and more compassionate community.
