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 2009, there were more than 116,000 reported cases of domestic violence in Florida. Hubbard House uses the purple ribbon 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 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.
Locally, Hubbard House is asking that the community GO Purple on Thursday, October 7th, by wearing a purple item of clothing or a purple ribbon, or hosting an activity or collection drive to benefit victims of domestic violence. Hubbard House also encourages all social media users to copy Hubbard House’s Facebook and Twitter profile picture of the purple ribbon and post it as their own default picture throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month to show support. Visit www.facebook.com/hubbardhouseinc or www.twitter.com/hubbardhouse to join the movement!
If you or anyone you know is in an abusive relationship please call the Hubbard House Domestic Violence Hotline at (904) 354-3114 or toll-free at (800) 500-1119.
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