RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Determined to be Victorious (D2V), YHWH Charity and other Richmond-area domestic violence prevention advocates met to honor both victims and survivors of domestic violence through a candlelight vigil Friday night. The Friday, Oct. 30 vigil at Libby Hill Park comes toward the end of October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. However, the groups say domestic violence affects all backgrounds every time of the year. D2V Founder Steele said part of the evening is motivating everyone, victims and survivors to "walk their truth." The Richmond Police Department reports 1,010 domestic assault cases thus far in 2026, which is 100 more cases than this same time last year. "We're here now to just let people know that you're not alone and love don't hurt," Steele said. "I don't like to call them 'victims,' because we don't want to be victims anymore. We want to be warriors." Attending the vigil, domestic violence survivor Mary Simms told 8News about how she's walking in her truth. "I am a survivor, and what got me through my ordeal was prayer, believing in God, and when God directed me to write my memoirs," she said. "That was healing for me." Simms now has her memoir published on Amazon. Pastor Emily Williams from Next Church RVA offered prayers, saying, "Let my voice be louder than my scars." The organizations want to be available to Central Virginians to listen to be a shoulder to lean on. "I myself is a survivor -- it's dear to my heart," YHWH Charity Founder Adaeze Amaram said. "If you believe there's someone that's experiencing that, let them know that you are available and that you want to help." Amaram is working to publish her book now, too, as a way to offer healing to others. She's hoping to have more developments soon on her website. ...read more read less