About 50 people gathered in front of City Hall on J Street to publicly state their opposition to domestic violence as they participated in the Take Back the Night rally.</p><p>The event, which began with a march starting at Pacheco Park, was coordinated through local efforts. Diana Ingram, a member of Soroptimist International Los Ba&#241;os, acted as the mistress of ceremonies.</p><p>"I was raised in a home with domestic violence. I know what it is like to go to bed every night in fear. I know how hard it is," Ingram said. "The truth is no one knows what's going on in the privacy of someone's home. But you do not need to be ashamed. You do need to reach out for help."</p><p>Take Back the Night is held in October each year to coincide with Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence survivors shared their stories as part of this year's event.</p><p>Mary, who only gave her first name at the event, told the crowd she was there to honor her daughter.</p><p>"My abuser killed her instead of me," Mary said. "She saved my life. She was my angel."</p><p>Sharon, another abuse survivor, said having a life after getting out of an abusive relationship is possible.</p><p>"A good friend of mine once told me that fear is false evidence appearing real. No matter how many lies they tell you about yourself don't believe it. You're strong enough to get out of it," she said. </p><p>The Take Back the Night march and rally in Los Ba&#241;os used to be organized by A Woman's Place, a now defunct organization that provided services to abuse victims. Valley Crisis Center has since become the service provider for Merced Merced County, but has limited resources on the Westside.</p><p>Mayor Tommy Jones spoke at the event as an advocate of Los Ba&#241;os establishing a safe house somewhere in the community. </p><p>"For there not to be a safe house in Los Ba&#241;os -- at least a house for a family to go for a short time to get through that -- I find that disgusting," Jones said. </p><p>He said he and Councilman Joe Sousa have discussed the issue and don't understand why, given all the foreclosures in the city, a way can't be found to purchase a safe house. </p><p>Jones said in hard economic times tend to lead to excuses for inaction. </p><p>"So many times when our brothers, our sisters have a problem we come up with excuses about why we cannot. I think we should be able to find a way," Jones said. "If you or I was that child that was in the home when domestic violence was going on, when the mother is being beat, we would want someone to come and help. It would be very difficult to understand why someone would not do something."</p><p>Every year Take Back the Night events are organized around the world as a public protest against violence toward women. The marches began in Europe in the 1970s as protests against poverty, the plight of single mothers and the lack of safety for prostitutes. In 1978 it became an annual event in America and through time took on its current meaning.</p><p>Enterprise staff writer Corey Pride can be reached at 388-6563 or e-mail cpride@losbanosenterprise.com