Domestic Violence Awareness Month

“LOVE should NOT hurt”

DV

On Thursday, October 15, 2015, New York City went purple in an attempt to continue spreading awareness on domestic violence with 567,000 reported cases between 2013 and 2014 and The Bronx having the second highest number of family-related homicides in New York City,   

“As a Survivor, I share my voice because for years I did not have the self-esteem needed to be strong. I reach out to every victim and survivor with the message of learning the signs of abuse because love shouldn’t hurt. Sometime we don’t have the strength needed to report the abuser but find the power to get out because survival is key to being free and safe,” says Haydee Veloz, Victim and Survivor of Domestic Violence.

NYC Go Purple Day inspired millions to use the color purple and their voices along with social media to spread awareness on the need to stand up against violence. The Empire State Building and The Bronx County Courthouse were illuminated in purple and will be visible all month long. People from various neighborhoods and places of worship also took the opportunity to show support and help raise awareness about domestic violence.

“Family, love, life, relationships and partnership, is magical in its own way and no matter which way you put it or look at it, the togetherness that is shared should not hurt,” says Bharati S. Kemraj, Community and Youth Leader and Founder of the Bharati Dance Academy. “I am proud of my Hindu Temple, the Vishnu Mandir, for going purple to let everyone know that domestic violence harms our communities and hurts those we love most and we need to pray and stand by those affected.”

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national level. The activities conducted were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes: Mourning those who have died because of domestic violence; Celebrating those who have survived and Connecting those who work to end violence. These three themes remain a key focus of DVAM events today.

“As a community we all need to come together to form a strong bond when it comes to supporting and looking out for each other. We all work in different places and are involved in various activities but at the end of the day we are one Bronx Family and that is important. No one should be a victim in their home or neighborhood,” says Gabriel De Jesus, Owner of JG Elite Consulting Group.

Support NYC Go Purple Day by:
Wearing purple
Taking photos of yourself, colleagues and landmarks lit in purple and posting them on social media with the hashtags #NYCGoPurple #DomesticViolenceAwareness #BeAVoice and #UpStander

 The number for the city’s 24-hour domestic abuse hotline is 1-800-621-HOPE.

 

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