NOVEMBER IS WOMEN ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
You can ask just about anyone the meaning of a yellow ribbon and almost certainly their answer will be, “It’s in support of those serving in the military and the hope they’ll return home safely”. Likewise, if you ask what a pink ribbon represents you’ll be met with a resounding “Breast Cancer Awareness”. (Actually you won’t have to ask, because everyone knows what a pink ribbon means.) A red ribbon signifies HIV/AIDS awareness and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD). Green ribbons are for mental health awareness. Rainbow colours show support to the LGBTQ community and PRIDE.
What about the colour purple? Most will say, that it’s the colour of royalty, courage, and honour. But few will connect the dots between purple hues and woman abuse awareness or prevention.
Why do certain causes get so much attention and support when others remain virtually unknown?
In the past, it’s not been very “sexy” for the general public, our communities, businesses and government to stand with women whose lives are impacted by violence and abuse. Women and girls who experience intimate partner abuse are left to feel alone, embarrassed and ashamed. - It’s more connected to other “s” words like “secrecy”, “shame” and “silence”.
“Woman abuse isn’t a disease or a natural disaster. Domestic violence is inflicted…by one person on another. And not a stranger: an intimate partner is the abuser. The victim and abuser are part of a community, part of families, part of a congregation or mosque. The domestic violence…is often one we as bystanders don’t want to talk about. Victims/survivors too often live in silent shame, afraid to tell their stories because too often we continue to blame the victim for the treatment she/he receives at the hand of her/his intimate partner.” (Rev. Dr. Marie M. Fortune)
The colour purple represents women who have experienced abuse and violence at the hands of another. Purple represents courage, survival and honour of women who continue to move forward even though, those they trusted the most have failed them. When we wear or use the colour purple - we are making a statement. A bold and loud statement. We are saying that we stand beside the very brave women who endure violent and often unseen crimes. When you go purple you show support and solidarity for women all over the world, in our communities and our homes.
Now you know. So what?
Go purple during November Women Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. Dress in purple. Decorate your home or business with purple, turn your streets purple. Talk about “why” purple. Make it okay to talk about it. Make an impactful statement without ever saying a word, that violence against women is NEVER. OKAY. Go purple to let women know they are not alone and that you support them. Go purple during November to signify the need for change. Change in our actions, our words, our thinking,