Yesterday I was wearing a red blouse and today I’m wearing green & brown. I’m not a celebrity and generally no one pays any attention to my fashion (I’m not even sure that looking in my closet the word ‘fashion’ come to mind). But my wardrobe has been a topic of conversation. “Maggie you’re not wearing purple? It’s October. It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month!” In the past I wore purple every day in October and encouraged others to do so also to bring attention to DV Awareness Month… and I guess it worked as people remember. But this year I’ve decided wearing purple to bring about awareness isn’t enough so I’m changing the game (and the wardrobe choices.)
I’d like to ask people to take action against relationship and sexual abuse: start a conversation, educate yourself or ask Wellspring to bring a program to your workplace or community group, forward an article or a blog post that you find interesting.
Need some ideas? Here’s a few:
- Watch a quick video with your family. Skidmore students created a unique way to help is see how abuse starts almost imperceptibly and escalates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZSSwXQzmqQ
- Read a book and/or discuss it with your book club. Here’s some suggested titles http://www.opdv.ny.gov/public_awareness/campaigns/shinethelight/stlbookclub.pdf
- Let others know you care about this issue by posting on facebook or other social media that’s it’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month
… and if wearing purple helps start conversations, go ahead and take the purple clothes off the hangers.