TG goes PURPLE

Even strangers comment to me that I must love pink given my attire and glasses and silly, pink, desk decorations. But in October, I will embrace purple in its amethyst and heliotrope and lilac glory in an effort to educate people about Domestic Violence. 

The first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was in October 1987. Prior to that, there had been Domestic Violence Awareness Events and Days of Unity but not a whole month. In the United States, 1 in 4 women is a victim of Domestic Violence. One in three women who are murder victims are killed by a current or past partner. Men suffer from Domestic Violence, too. While they are victims less often - 1 in 9 men - that is a lot of pain and suffering from someone who professes to love you. Not all abuse is physical; emotional, verbal, and financial abuse are also ways partners try to control their partner.

The good news is that there is help. You can turn to your physician, local Department of Human Services, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE), or call police if you are in immediate danger. If you are a victim, be gentle with yourself. If you are a friend or loved one of a victim, remember that healing is a process and it isn't as easy to just leave as you may think it is. 

Wear purple, especially in October, to help raise awareness. And check back frequently for information about Domestic Violence and ways you can make a difference.