The Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC) held its 29th annual Silent March Against Domestic Violence on Friday, Oct. 23, from the 109th Precinct in Flushing to the Flushing Library .

This annual event is intended to bring community members together to honor survivors of domestic and gender-based violence and pay tribute to those who died as a result of it.

The march is conducted in silence to represent those whose voices have been repressed by fear, stigma and isolation. This includes immigrant survivors who face language, immigration and financial barriers.

The main message of the Silent March Against Domestic Violence is to show these survivors that they are not alone.

After marching from the 109th Precinct, located at 37-05 Union St., to the Flushing Library, located at 41-17 Main St., participants listened to speeches from community leaders and local elected officials.

"Today we're gathered because October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we want to raise the visibility of this issue because in our community this is such a taboo subject," KAFSC Executive Director Jeehae Fischer said. "We want people to see what we're here for, and the reason we do that is because, oftentimes, especially immigrant survivors, they don't have the voice. They feel that they're isolated, so we want them to know that we're here for them, so that they could come forward with any abuses or trauma that they're faced with and get the help that they need."

"It's truly an honor to stand alongside you as we come together in support of survivors of domestic violence. First, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Korean American Family Service Center for organizing this important event, and more importantly, for the extraordinary work that they do every single day. Domestic violence does not recognize cultural, racial or socio-economic boundaries, and neither should our efforts to prevent it. That's why partnerships like the one we share with KAFSC are so incredibly important. Your commitment to breaking down cultural and language barriers and building trust between survivors and those investigating their cases makes our city stronger and safer," NYPD Gender-Based Violence Policy and Planning Unit Assistant Commissioner Kathleen Baer said. "In law enforcement, we know that we cannot accomplish this mission alone. We need community partners who challenge us, educate us and work alongside us, and KAFSC has been exactly that kind of partner."

"Today, we march in silence, but our message could not be louder," Baer continued. "Survivors are not alone. Their voices matter. Their safety matters. And together, we have a responsibility to make sure they are heard and supported."

Among the local elected officials on hand who spoke at the Flushing Library were New York City Council Members Sandra Ung, Shekar Krishnan and Linda Lee, New York State Assemblymembers Steven Raga, Edward Braunstein and Jessica González-Rojas and New York State Sen. John Liu.

"This is a march to remind people, especially in this community, where English is not their first language, that if you're in a situation of violence, there are people out there who can help you, but you need to reach out. KFSC is one of those groups. There are many other groups today that would do the same, and as elected officials, it's always important to support these groups," Ung said. "Today, I want to spend time to thank all of you for the work that you do, because it is very hard work. The empathy, the compassion, the patience to work in this field. It's never-ending. It seems like it could never end."

"Not only are we taking a moment to recommit ourselves to the work of combating and ending gender-based violence here in Queens and across our city, but I also want to highlight why we in the Council fought together to make sure that we created this initiative and funded groups like KFSC and so many others, and that is because it's not just about simply combating domestic and gender-based violence, but it's also doing it in ways where we acknowledge that in our communities, especially our Asian American communities, that may not be talked about, but it's happening and it's rampant, that people who need help are able to get help, because often they can't find culturally appropriate organizations that do the work where they feel safe and comfortable," Krishnan said. "But that's exactly the work that KFSC is doing, and every single organization here. This is a moment to recommit to the work that we are doing, but also to thank each and every one of you, because we couldn't do this work otherwise."

"We need people both on the outside, here fighting, as well as inside Albany, inside our federal government, inside City Hall, to make sure that our voices are being heard," Lee said. "The fact that we are trying as best as possible as a city to coordinate services to help each person as an individual is very significant, and we have to keep pushing to do that better. I just want to thank our partners in government, especially our partners in nonprofits, who are doing the hard work on the ground, and we'll continue to fight for you guys for more dollars and resources in the community."

"Just because you love somebody doesn't mean you should fear them in your own household. Just because you might feel alone doesn't mean you actually are alone," Raga said. "And just because you might have a different language, culture or heritage, that should not prevent you from seeking the critical resources you need."

"I've been coming to this march probably well over a decade, and I come every year because it really is a powerful way to deliver a message," Braunstein said. "Everybody stops, everybody looks, and [being silent] is an effective way to get a message out. And that message is domestic violence is never acceptable. And the message is to survivors that they're not alone and that if they need help, there's people there for them. I just want to thank all the organizations that are here today for all the great work you do for our community, and I really appreciate it."

"I've come year after year to stand in solidarity with our communities as we break the silence to end the violence," González-Rojas said. "There's a quote that I share often by Audre Lorde that says, 'There's no such thing as a single issue struggle, because we do not live single issue lives,' and that is emblematic of the work that you all do day in and day out. Thank you for serving our community. Thank you for fighting to break the silence. I love you all and I'll continue to stand with you every step of the way."