Every nine seconds, someone – a child, woman or man – is the victim of domestic abuse.

That’s an outrageous statistic, and it includes all types of abuse – emotional, sexual, physical and neglect.

This past week, SABRA Sanctuary held its Eighth Annual Domestic Abuse Symposium at the St. James Hotel.

LaSheena Gaines, a SAIL specialist at SABRA Sanctuary and an abuse survivor, spoke at the candlelight vigil held Thursday night in honor of survivors and in memory of those who did not survive abuse.

“I wish I knew what resources were available when I was going through my situation,” Gaines said.

SABRA Sanctuary is one of 19 domestic violence and sexual assault shelters in Alabama.

The organization provides in-shelter and out-of-shelter services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and their children, in Dallas, Perry and Wilcox counties.

Crisis services are available 24 hours a day.

If you or someone you know is the victim of abuse, help is available. The crisis line is 874-8711.