Bend goes purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Saving Grace is raising awareness all month long in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Saving Grace is thrilled to announce its continued partnership with the Old Mill District and The Downtown Bend Association for the month of October and DVAM.

Domestic violence thrives when we are silent; but if we take a stand and work together, we can end domestic violence. Throughout the month of October, help Saving Grace to raise awareness about domestic violence and join in our efforts to end violence. The color purple represents the courage, survival, honor and dedication to ending domestic violence. It has a long history of being used as a symbol by women seeking justice.

Purple is the color of the month and can be seen all over the Old Mill District. Purple flags decorate the footbridges and purple lights are on the trees in the Old Mill’s center plaza to show support for victims and survivors of domestic violence. Many of the stores at the Old Mill Distinct have also shown their support with purple lights in their windows and purple ribbons at their cash registers. Thank you to Saxon’s Fine Jewelry, American Eagle, Savory Spice Shop, Strictly Organic, Ginger’s Kitchenware & Sweet Tooth Candy Shoppe.

The Downtown Association has teamed up with Saving Grace this year with purple lights and signage at the intersection of Wall Street and Minnesota. There are a variety of downtown businesses that will be providing purple ribbons and information on Saving Grace services.

Also, Cuppa Yo in Bend is sponsoring DVAM with a special flavor of the month. The purple yogurt will be dedicated to DVAM and raising awareness in Central Oregon. We encourage everyone to visit Cuppa Yo for some “purple yo”. They will also have purple ribbons register for customers to take and wear in support of the month. Together we can raise awareness in our community that domestic violence is a serious, community issue. A special thank you to Horizon Broadcasting Group for helping spread awareness throughout the month as well.

Here is some brief history on DVAM;

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national level. The activities conducted were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes:

-Mourning those who have died because of domestic violence
-Celebrating those who have survived
-Connecting those who work to end violence

These three themes remain a key focus of DVAM events today. In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline. In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Such legislation has passed every year since with NCADV providing key leadership in this effort. Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Saving Grace provides confidential and free family violence and sexual assault services and promotes the value of life without violence. For more information visit www.saving-grace.org or contact Lauren Biskind at 541-382-9227.