(STURGIS) - Victims of domestic and sexual violence were remembered during a ceremony Tuesday night.

Domestic And Sexual Abuse Services held their Candlelight Vigil in the Auxiliary Gym at Sturgis High School. The event honors individuals in St. Joseph and Cass Counties who lost their lives to domestic violence.

This year’s keynote speaker was Michelle Baker, a survivor of domestic violence. She shared her story with the audience, starting what happened with what happened between her and her first husband. ...... {LISTEN}.

Baker says her husband would also turn his anger towards their children in addition to her. After years of this behavior, Baker says she was finally able to leave her husband. Unfortunately, she says her second husband abused alcohol and treated her and her children in an abusive way.

Baker says she finally was able to leave him and start healing. She is now in a healthy marriage and continues to heal.

Baker shared a message with those in the audience who are victims of domestic violence. ...... {LISTEN}.

During the ceremony, the names of those who lost their lives as a result of domestic violence were read aloud, so that they will never be forgotten.