Local businesses are shedding light on domestic violence again this year during the Purple Light Campaign.
The campaign, which has been running in Invermere for about six years, occurs in late November and early December — roughly in conjunction with the anniversary of the 1989 Montreal Massacre — and raises awareness of violence against women. Participating businesses in town have put up purple-tinged lights in their window, leaving them on for about two weeks.
“The Purple Light Campaign is to remind us of all the women — and there are men too — who have become victims of domestic violence,” said Family Resource Centre executive director and local campaign organizer Pat Cope. “The campaign involves women, and other people and businesses in the community, standing in solidarity with one another to stand up to domestic violence. It’s about acknowledging that it (domestic violence) does exist here in the valley and that we want it to end. It’s all of our responsibility to have a voice and to make sure this issue gets addressed.”
While in past years the campaign has included a candlelight vigil on December 6th (the anniversary day of the Montreal Massacre), this year the Family Resource Centre is trying to incorporate a positive spin into the campaign and will instead have a celebration of healthy relationships on February 14th, timed to coincide with Valentine’s Day.
“We’re shifting the focus a bit this year to have more of a positive focus,” said Cope, adding that more information on what the Family Resource Centre plans to do as part of the February celebration will become available closer to the date.
Cope said the Family Resource Centre appreciates the support the community has demonstrated during the Purple Light Campaign, and that the support shows the community is truly dedicated to creating change on the issue of domestic violence.
