Savio family, violence victims attend rally - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News

It was an emotional night for the families of victims of domestic violence as they remembered those who have been murdered in recent years and the verdicts in the Drew Peterson and Christopher Vaughn cases are giving renewed strength to their efforts.

Since 2003, there have been 63 women and children murdered in Will County as a result of domestic violence. The community rallied in Joliet to ‘take back the night' and take a stand against the abuse and murder.

In a powerful candlelight ceremony, advocates read all the names of the murder victims of the past none years as family members or volunteers.

October is domestic violence awareness month and Kathleen Savio's sisters hope that her death at the hands of Drew Peterson and his conviction last month for that murder will give other victims hope.

"I want other women to know that, other families to know that you're not alone," said Kathleen Savio's sister Sue.

"Eight long years we pushed, just keep pushing," explained Savio's other sister, Anna Doman. "I mean eight years is a long time and just keep pushing don't stop, but maybe they won't have to push, maybe people will start to listen now."

Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow told the hundreds of people at the rally the convictions of Peterson and Vaughn were major victories against domestic violence in general.

"We've got to deal with this beast called domestic violence but in think this year we drove a stake through the heart of that beast," Glasgow commented.

Glasgow said that while rallies like this are important, the key is to prevent the tragedies before they happen.

Guest speaker Linda King, whose daughter was murdered in Texas by her ex-husband, told the audience she's learned it's important to really listen and encourage their loved ones to get out of abusive relationships.

After the ceremony, people took their cause to the street, banging drums and marching in the dark to she'd light on the problem of domestic violence, inn hopes of preventing the next tragedy from ever happening.