NORTHFIELD--A special vigil was held Friday in Northfield in honor of domestic violence awareness month.

Flowers on the Lake was held at Birch Grove Park, where flowers were placed in the lake in honor of survivors and those who have lost their life to domestic violence and their families.

Officials hope everyone will start stepping up efforts against domestic violence, "When they see someone being isolated or being beaten or any kind of verbal abuse, take a stand with those comments that aren't supportive of the victims because the mindset is the first thing we need to start changing," said Dawne Lomangino-DiMauro with the Atlantic County Women’s Center.

Officials say domestic violence is a community issue not just a personal one.