Phoenix opens Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Oct 18, 2013, 4:42 PM | Updated: 4:42 pm
PHOENIX — Phoenix is turning purple, and you’re going to see a lot of it around town this month.
The city officially launched is Paint Phoenix Purple campaign Friday. Purple has been adopted as the symbolic color of domestic abuse awareness.
“There’s going to be purple ribbons, purple clothing, bracelets, landscape lighting, domestic violence trains, newsletter articles, public service announcements, and so much more,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton.
During October, numerous parts of Phoenix will adopt a purple hue, including City Hall. Purple light bulbs will be installed atop the building.
Libby Bissa with Phoenix Family Advocacy Center said Tovrea Castle will also be painted purple during October.
Third Street will have a purple line on it through downtown Phoenix.
Stanton said there’s a reason the city wants to raise awareness of the issue.
“We raise it that it’s not just a problem in some parts of our city, that it’s not just a problem in some parts of the community,” he said. “We raise it because it’s an issue that all of us have to come to terms with because it affects all of us.”
Phoenix City Councilwoman Thelda Williams said the message is that we can stop domestic violence.
“Each of us has to take on a personal responsibility to become aware, to know how to inform anyone who is a victim where to go, how to get emergency services, and what’s out there,” she said. “(We need to) stand and support them.”
About 50,000 domestic violence-related calls are fielded by Phoenix 911 operators annually.
Watch a flash mob promoting Paint Phoenix Purple below.
