To raise awareness about domestic violence, a local non-profit society is hoping Powell River residents will postpone hanging Christmas lights and put up purple lights instead.
Stopping the Violence Powell River outreach coordinator Maureen MacLennan is organizing the city’s first Purple Light Nights, a campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence.
Inspired by a similar campaign started in Covington, Washington in 2006, Purple Light Nights aims to educate the community on violent abuse, particularly towards women.
“We wanted to find a way to shine a light on a dark subject,” said MacLennan. “There is still a culture of violence here in Powell River.”
MacLennan said she hopes the purple light campaign will provide support and hope for those who have survived or are still coping with domestic violence. It will also pay tribute to those who have lost their lives.
According to MacLennan, the need for awareness is especially acute in Powell River. She said 52 women and 34 children this year alone have sought shelter at Grace House, Powell River’s transition home for victims of abuse.
“When I go to city hall they are surprised we still need these services,” said MacLennan. “A lot of folks see Powell River as bike trails and sunsets. They don’t see the underbelly.”
Part of the problem, said MacLennan, is the lack of rental housing in Powell River, which leaves many women in abusive relationships with nowhere to go.
According to the 2015 Powell River Vital Signs report, rental affordability in Powell River is a “critical issue,” with a low vacancy rate and many renters paying as much as 40 to 57 per cent of their monthly income on rent and utilities.
Because of the rental situation, MacLennan said many victims of domestic violence are forced to leave the city.
“They are the victims and yet they are the ones who are forced to leave,” she said. “They have to interrupt their lives, leave jobs, their college or sometimes families over something they didn’t do.”
Purple Light Nights overlaps the Shoe Memorial, organized by Powell River Police-Based Victim Services, on December 5 and 6.
“I think it’s wonderful,” said victim services coordinator Christine Schreiber. “We are sister societies working together to raise awareness about domestic violence.”
The fourth annual memorial setup in Town Centre Mall will display as many as 150 pairs of shoes this year to commemorate those who have died as the result of violence.
“Everybody knows the shoe memorial,” said MacLennan. “But we also wanted another, perhaps lighter way to draw attention to domestic violence in Powell River.”
Purple Light Nights runs from November 25 to December 10. MacLennan said she hopes people will put purple lights up at their homes to show support for stopping domestic violence.
For more information, readers can call MacLennan at 604.485.6980.
