Conroe Courier October 16, 2023

Three Montgomery County groups will host a local Montgomery County domestic violence awareness event in Conroe this week. 

The Montgomery County Women’s Center, the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission are planning “Flowers on the Lake” for 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Conroe. 

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Here’s what to know about the event. 

What is Flowers on the Lake? 

The ceremony was founded by County Court at Law 4. Judge Echo Hutson. It is modeled after a similar event she saw involving petals at the University of Southern Indiana.

Hutson was the chief of the Domestic Violence division at the District Attorney’s office when the event began in 2020. 

“We wanted an event to show victims of domestic violence that there are resources in our community and there are people who care and are available and ready to come help when they’re ready to ask for help,” she said. 

Why is domestic violence awareness important? 

According to the Montgomery County Women’s Center, approximately 11,000 women and children live in abusive homes in Montgomery County. The women’s center has served the county for more than 40 years with services to support domestic violence victims with an emergency shelter, legal services, education, counseling and transitional housing. 

In 2022, the organization answered 47,674 crisis calls, 1,056 victims accessed emergency shelter, 1,173 victims received legal representation, 819 survivors received medical accompaniment, 49 residents participated in a transitional housing program and 1,291 volunteers donated 27,050 hours of time. 

The group also runs a 24-hour crisis hotline that can be accessed at 936-441-7273. 

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About the ceremony

Community members, law enforcement agencies, victim advocates and elected officials are invited to the event.

“We know you are there and we don’t want you to suffer alone or in silence. When you are ready we will be there,” Hutson said of those experiencing a domestic violence situation. 

She said the message of the ceremony will be one of hope. 

Hutson hosts the event. Precinct 1 Judge Wayne Mack will speak as will District Attorney Brett Ligon, Sarah Raleigh, executive director of the Montgomery County Women’s Center and retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Steven Hummer.

To mark the year 2023, attendees to the ceremony will place 2,023 purple carnations in the lake at the park. Purple is the signature color during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 

Visit the women’s center website for more.Â