Domestic violence affects us all.

It cuts across gender, race, and ethnicity. People in every socioeconomic status experience this type of violence.

It could be in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and our places of worship.

Attorney General Alan Wilson led participants through the 21st annual Silent Witness Domestic Violence ceremony on the south steps of the State House in Columbia Tuesday.

During the ceremony, Wilson read the names of 29 women and 11 men from across the state who lost their lives as the result of domestic violence last year.

Victims’ family members, friends, or volunteers carried a life-sized silhouette representing the victim to the State House steps as a bell was rung for each victim.

A 41st silhouette represented potential unknown victims.

“Every year we commemorate the lives that we lost to domestic violence and we hope that, at some point, we won’t have to be here,” said Wilson.

“Unfortunately, this is a cycle of violence that’s gone on for too long in our state and in our nation.

“We’ve taken steps to strengthen our laws and also to try to prevent this tragic crime. We are seeing some improvements, but we’ve got a long way to go to reach zero,” Wilson said.

2 Lexington County women were remembered during the ceremony: Marquita Mobley, 33 - Marquita Mobley was shot and killed by her live-in boyfriend, Derrick Sligh November 19, 2017. Mobley is survived by her nephew, for whom she had been a guardian. Sligh’s murder trial is currently pending. Marissa Reynoso, 26 - Reynoso was shot and killed by Jorge Chavez, the father of her children, January 1, 2017. Mr. Chavez also shot and killed Ms. Reynoso’s sons, aged four and one year old. Ms. Reynoso is survived by her eldest son.