MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT N.C. -- The month of October is a time when people promote awareness of domestic violence and educate the public on the devastating effects of domestic abuse on a family. The Purple Ribbon Campaign is a nationwide project that uses the purple ribbons as a symbol of a united effort to reduce domestic abuse. Throughout the month of October, you may pick up purple ribbons at Marine and Family Programs. The Purple Ribbon, worn on your lapel or shirt, tells people that you support the victims, case workers, police, victim advocates and communities in their efforts to eliminate violence in the home. It also tells them that you understand the impact of violence on families.
There are many beliefs behind the campaign for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
1. Violence is a learned behavior.
Violence in schools and communities is very often the product of violence in the home. Although there have been many studies showing some relationship between violence in the media and violent behavior, when it comes to domestic abuse, what we learn as children in our homes can be the most effective and long lasting lesson we learn. Children are like sponges, absorbing whatever surrounds them. They look to their parents as role models, and it is within their family where they gain their understanding of how a family interacts and operates.
2. Violence can be reduced, if change is made on the most basic level.
The most significant and successful efforts in the reduction of violence in people’s lives are the actions taken on a personal level. If people help their friends, family, co-workers and neighbors learn that domestic abuse is unacceptable, and encourage them to take action, then people can change the world.
3. Violence flourishes, as the result of social and personal tolerance of it.
Show a strong intolerance for domestic abuse by:
• Stand up against violence, instead of standing by and not reporting it
• Speak out against violence
• Offer support and safe refuge to victims
• Show support by wearing a Purple Ribbon in October
• Volunteer at a local domestic violence shelter
• Volunteer to work a crisis hotline
• Become informed and know the signs of domestic abuse
In Craven County, the Coastal Women’s Shelter is sponsoring special events to promote awareness of domestic violence. The Domestic Violence 3rd Annual Open Fun Ride was held Oct. 2. The 3rd Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Jail-A-Thon will be held at the Golden Corral in New Bern, N.C. Oct. 29. For more information on these or other domestic violence awareness events, call the Coastal Women’s Shelter at 638-4509, or log onto www.coastal womenshelter.org.
24/7 Victim Advocate Program
Victim Advocates provide assistance to victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. The 24/7 Victim Advocate Response Line is 665-4713.