Victims honored at Light Up the Night

The room was dark -- the silence was permeating. There was an empty table in front of the stage adorned with a black tablecloth and complete with place settings. As the night progressed, pictures of members of the UCF community who had lost their lives as a result of abuse or violence would be placed behind each place setting.

Such was the scene Monday in the Pegasus Ballroom for Light Up the Night UCF, an event in its sixth year, meant to honor victims and survivors of crime, violence and abuse.

For more photos, view the gallery here. 

"It's a forum to really let our audience know that life happens to everybody…It's a memorial event for people that have also lost their life as a result of violence," Christine Mouton, director of UCF Victim Services said.

The audience consisted of students, interns and members of other groups that provide support to victims of dating and domestic violence.

Within the first moments of taking the microphone, Mouton had the victim advocates and counselors who were present in the back of the room raise their hands so audience members could be made aware of their presence if they needed them.

She was followed with a prayer led by Rev. Brian Roberts. Quickly the tone went from restlessness to a somber one, as the seriousness of human trafficking and hate crimes became real.

"I want people to understand that violence happens all the time and people are victimized all the time…" Kayla Kirk, a senior intern at Victim Services and a criminal justice, and psychology double major said. "I think that bringing awareness and remembering those who have died or been affected from it can get people to understand that this is a problem and that it should be stopped-and that it can be stopped,".

Tomas Lares of the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking, said that each year 18,000 to 20,000 victims are trafficked into the United States. According to Lares, human trafficking is one of the largest criminal acts in the world second to drug dealing.

Dr. Richard Lapchick, human rights activist and author, expanded on the idea of hate crimes, slavery and violence. He shared that college campuses rank third in the most prevalent place for hate crimes to occur.

"We're trying to change those things, make things better." Lapchick said.

He went on to say that by altering one person, you're in fact changing all the people they share their life with, and that people can stand for justice.

"If our children learned how to hate, we can teach them how to love again." Lapchick said. "What will your legacy be?"

Survivors of domestic violence and abuse took the stage and shared their stories as well. They spoke about keeping eyes open for early signs of an abusive relationship such as constant calling to "check- up" on their partner.

Before the event wound down, the table in front of the stage was explained. It was UCF's own "Empty Place at the Table" -- one by one pictures of victims who had lost their lives from violence were placed behind a place setting.

A brief description of the person was given to the audience and a light was illuminated in front of their picture. The final place at the table was for what they called the "Anonymous Knight," which was a reference to the countless other people who are also victims of violence and abuse.

Victim Services at UCF is available to students who are enduring any sort of dating violence or abuse in their lives. They have a 24-7 Hotline (407-823-1200) and a location both on and off campus.

Mouton explained that an advocate will help victims identify their options with the foremost concern being safety. Ultimately, the informed decisions will be made by the victim.

"They can always call on the phone. I mean that's a pretty anonymous way of asking some questions…Don't ever be afraid to call and ask a question," Mouton said.