Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time to remind our country of the hidden acts of violence many women, children and men face daily in their homes; a place they once associated with comfort and love. Wearing a purple ribbon is an easy way to show your support to end domestic violence.
In 2011, there were more than 111,000 reported cases of domestic violence and 180 domestic violence related deaths in Florida. Hubbard House uses the purple ribbon and the color purple to raise awareness about the crime of domestic violence in our community and encourages you to do the same.
Although purple is a symbol of pain and suffering that reminds us of the bruises many people have sustained at the hands of their abusers, purple is also a symbol of hope for those affected by domestic violence. People wearing purple ribbons let victims know someone cares about them, and they want to help end domestic violence. Wearing the color purple or your purple ribbon in public not only raises awareness, but also inspires more people to get involved.
There are many easy ways to display your purple ribbon:
- Attach purple ribbon pins to your shirt, hat, bag, wallet, keys, etc.
- Tie a purple ribbon to your car’s antenna.
- Wear items such as t-shirts, hats and bags with embroidered purple ribbons.
- Hang purple ribbons on doors that are frequently used.
- Wrap purple ribbons around highly visible trees and/or lampposts.
In addition to demonstrating support for victims and advocates, the display of purple ribbons throughout a community conveys a powerful message that there is no place for domestic violence in homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, or schools of its citizens.
Remember, while each October marks National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, domestic violence is not confined by calendars. Please help raise awareness about domestic violence by participating in this awareness campaign.
BREAK THE SILENCE DAY: Locally, Hubbard House is asking the community toGo Purple and show support by participating in its Break the Silence Day by wearing a purple item of clothing or a purple ribbon on Thursday, Oct. 11th.
Hubbard House also encourages all social media users to copy Hubbard House’s Facebook and Twitter “No Excuse for Abuse” purple ribbon profile picture and post it as their own profile picture on Break the Silence Day or throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month to show support. Visit Hubbard House’s Facebook or Twitter to join the movement!
WE WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU “GO PURPLE”: Tell us about your plans and share your photos on Facebook or join in on the conversation by using the hashtag #igopurple on Twitter.
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship please call the Hubbard House 24-hour Domestic Violence hotline at 904-354-3114 or 800-500-1119. Hubbard House can help.
ABOUT HUBBARD HOUSE: Founded as the first domestic violence shelter in Florida in 1976, Hubbard House is a certified, comprehensive domestic violence center providing programs and services to more than 5,000 women, children, and men annually in Duval and Baker counties. While Hubbard House is most known for its emergency shelter, the agency also provides extensive adult and youth outreach services, school-based education, therapeutic childcare, batterers’ intervention programs, court advocacy and volunteer and community education opportunities. Visit www.hubbardhouse.org to learn more.
By Vicky Krook and Ashley Johnson Scott