Funeral held for alleged domestic violence victim

Family and friendsgot thechance to pay their final respects to Lacey Jones Mcknight Thursday.

Last week,the20-year-old's body was found in a carin Calgary's northeast and her former fiance,29-year-old Kristopher Guenther, has been charged with second-degree murder.

Police said her death was the result of an ongoingdomestic dispute.

Mcknight's family is asking that donations inher memory be made to the Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society.

Violence prevention an ongoing fight

Thursdayalsomarked the start of Family Violence Prevention Month.

Victim advocates launched what they call the "break the silence" campaign to recognize the 200,000Albertans who report domestic abuse every year.

It hasn't been a good fall on the domestic violence front in Calgary.

A month ago,a mother killed her six-year-old sonin the family's apartment.

Andrea Silverstone,the co-chair of a group of local agencies that fight domestic violence, says therecent high-profile deaths could possibly helpthose in the same situation.

"When awareness raises and the media covers it, people realize that they might be in an abusive situation and they access support," she said.

Victimscan look to local groups for help

Experts say victims also need to feel as though they can speak out when they're in trouble.

"I think once you make that and you realize you're not alone, it's easier to not be ashamed and to reach out and get the help," said domestic abuse survivor Melody Bundt Witwer.

Those whoneed help getting out of a violent relationship can call Connect at 403-237-5888.

The Calgary Counselling Centre is also offering adomestic abuse webinars on its website.

Calgary police are called to about 16,000 houses a year because of family violence.

Supt. Sat Parhar says there are a dozen officers who specialize in the problem, but it'snot enough.

"You look at those numbers16,000 callsand we deem 300to 400 to be high risk at any given moment," he said."It's tough to say we can't use more people."