Southern Adventist University Promotes #Purple-Thursday To Raise Awareness Of Domestic Violence

  • Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Students and faculty at Southern Adventist University are observing #Purple-Thursday, a national campaign that draws attention to the issue of domestic violence and displays support for victims and survivors by encouraging the community to wear purple on Thursday, Oct. 24.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, aimed at increasing awareness and providing resources for those affected by domestic violence.  The campaign promotes the use of the color purple – long associated with domestic violence awareness – to inspire creative ways to increase understanding of the issue and efforts to combat it. To show their support, Southern’s School of Social Work has helped raise awareness throughout the month and is leading the campus in joining the #Purple-Thursday effort.  They encourage the community to join in by wearing purple attire and posting photos on social media, tagging them #Purple-Thursday and #SouthernSocialWork.

"We know that wearing a color on one day does not solve an issue of this magnitude, but it is a start,” said Annette Heck, MSW, professor of social work at Southern. “It’s a start in raising awareness, opening up the means for conversation, and providing resources. We know that one in four women and one in nine men experience domestic violence in some form, so this is an issue that impacts us all. It impacts our marriages, our families, our churches, our schools, and our communities. Together we can end it now!”

Additionally, Collegedale's Mayor Katie Lamb and representatives from the Family Justice Center and the Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults will be on campus for several hours on Oct. 24 to connect with students and employees on the topic.

According to a report by the CDC, on average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. Over the course of a year, that equals more than 12 million women and men.  Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can seek help 24 hours a day by calling 1-800-799-7299. If you or someone you know needs help, visit: https://www.thehotline.org

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