 A 37 sparklers were lit at Kiwanis Park and Brainerd tonight in memory of the 37 lives lost in Minnesota to domestic violence in the year 2017 and 2018 so far. Our reporter Rachel Johnson has the story. Olivia McIntosh, Tanya Wallace, Maria McIntosh. One in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. It's a concern and it's happening right here in our own state, in our own neighborhoods and it's an issue for everybody and it's important that we're all involved and that we're all part of the solution. The Mid-Minnesota Women's Center holds an annual cannolate vigil in Kiwanis Park and have been doing so for almost 10 years. The Minnesota Coalition for Brainerd Women has every year put out a Femmecide report and we decided that we wanted to do something to honor the individuals who have passed away due to domestic violence. We honor the lives that have been lost in the state of Minnesota all through 2017 and then through today's date in 2018. The Mid-Minnesota Women's Center has been putting on the vigil since 2010 as a way to honor survivors and victims. The Women's Center plays an important role in the community by providing safety, advocacy and empowerment for victims of domestic violence. At least in our community, the Mid-Minnesota Women's Center is in our town and unfortunately we respond to a lot of domestic violence in our job and so if we can give a little education maybe raise some awareness for it, let the victims know that there's help out there. The Women's Center decided to hold the annual vigil to honor victims and to also bring awareness to an issue that so many people face. Domestic violence is growing and we need to put a stop to it. In order to do that we have to educate our community members and make people aware that this is a real thing that does truly happen. The Women's Center will keep shedding a light on domestic violence until one day there will hopefully be no more candles needed. Reporting from Brainerd, Rachel Johnson, Lakeland News. The Mid-Minnesota Women's Center was established in 1978 and provides services to men, women, children and pets. If you enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Lakeland PBS.