By Jeanni Ritchie
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time set aside each year to raise awareness about relationship abuse, honor survivors, remember those who have lost their lives and remind those currently living with abuse that help and hope are available.
What began as a national Day of Unity in 1981 grew into a monthlong observance, with October officially designated as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989. Purple has become the color most closely associated with the movement.
Amanda White, Grant Parish Advocate with the Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART), is sharing several ways Central Louisiana residents can participate throughout October, from simply wearing purple to gathering for a community walk and candlelight vigil.
The month begins with the Grant D.A.R.T. Domestic Violence Awareness Walk on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Hopewell Baptist Church in Colfax.
The walk begins at 9 a.m. with a $10 donation to participate. Funds raised will benefit Grant Parish survivors. Vendors will also be on-site, along with the LifeShare Blood Center bus.
Churches throughout the area are also encouraged to participate in Wear Purple Sunday on any Sunday during October. Congregations can wear purple together and take a group photo to show support for survivors and raise awareness within their communities.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, the community can participate in National Wear Purple Thursday. Purple shirts, ties, scarves, shoes, hats, nail polish—or even purple hair—can serve as a visible reminder that survivors are not alone.
White also encourages groups participating in either observance to take photos and share them with her or tag her on Facebook, allowing that support to reach beyond individual churches, workplaces and organizations.
Later in the month, Grant Parish DART will hold its annual Candlelight Prayer Vigil at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at Hopewell Baptist Church, 1100 Graham Street in Colfax.
The vigil will honor those who have lost their lives to domestic violence, offer hope to those still experiencing abuse and recognize survivors. Those unable to attend in person may watch through Facebook Live via DART or Hopewell Baptist Church.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is about more than one walk, one ribbon or one day dressed in purple. Each visible act of support can help reduce the silence surrounding abuse while reminding survivors that people within their communities are willing to stand beside them.
For information about October activities or Grant Parish DART resources, contact Amanda White at 318-787-1053 or the Grant Parish DART office at 318-627-5575.
