Hope is once again sporting purple colours and shining a light on domestic violence.
“As with every year, we chose a theme and our theme was ‘you are loved,’ but loved with the heart emoji,” said Marianne Brueckert-Preston, a member of Hope’s Purple Light Nights (PLN) committee. “The purpose of this is that so much of our communication nowadays is online and through texting.
“We felt this was a wonderful way of sharing the message, the message to every survivor and victim of domestic violence that you are cared about, you are respected and supported, and when you feel alone and in your darkest moments, know that this community stands with you.”
Rain and wind were no obstacle for the crowd that gathered for the Purple Light Nights (PLN) opening ceremony on Tuesday (Oct. 1) at Memorial Park.
Starting at 6 p.m., the kick-off was opened with a drumming ceremony by the Telte-yet Salish Singers and a speech from Chawathil First Nation’s (CFN) Shane John. Following this, blessings and speeches were made by CFN Elder Pat John and the Grace Baptist Church’s Pastor Jeff Kuhn.
After their welcome, the crowd heard from Mayor Victor Smith and the Hope PLN Committee’s own Sharlene-Harrison Hinds, who explained the importance of the colour purple for the campaign and survivors of domestic violence.
Cpl. Matt Noel, from the Hope RCMP, also provided insight on domestic violence within Hope.
“I can share with you that events like Purple Light Nights are, in fact, having a positive impact on reducing domestic violence in our community,” Noel said. “Over the past two years, we have seen a consistent decrease in the number of incidents being reported. But while we may be heading in the right direction there’s still much work to be done. Which is why the Hope RCMP will continue to support our community partners with this initiative.
“And I can confidently say that domestic violence has no place in the Hope community, or any community.”
After the speeches, Brueckert-Preston invited Benjamin Neufeld and his father to the mic to sing their rendition of Amazing Grace.
Finally, the ceremony closed with the annual lighting of the PLN light fixture. This year, PLN committee member Jan Bentley, and her husband, designed and created a purple lightbulb-shaped light fixture to be hung up in Memorial Park. The giant lightbulb was lit up and will be shining brightly until the end of October.
The month-long campaign, which has been a staple of Hope for many years now, is held every year in October. It raises awareness about domestic violence and provides support for those in abusive situations. First taking place in 2007 in Covington, Washington, the campaign has since spread to communities across the U.S., Canada, and Guam — who all display a purple light bulb in October, the international symbol for fighting against domestic violence. Since 2010, Hope has been part of PLN with many businesses and homes displaying the bulb every fall.
For many people, domestic abuse is a daily reality. According to the government of Canada in 2019, of the 107,810 people, aged 15 and over, who reported experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) to the police, 79 per cent were women. In 2018, three in 10 women (29 per cent), 15 to 24 years of age, reported experiencing one incident of IPV. This percentage increased for women from minority groups, especially Indigenous women.
Those wishing to show their support can do so by wearing purple on Oct. 16 for Wear All Purple Day. The Hope Secondary School’s (HSS) leadership team will also have a cookie fundraiser for PLN and victims of domestic violence, on the same day.
PLN is also asking people to keep an eye out on their Facebook for updates on future events and projects.
Here is a list of resources, for those currently going through or those who know someone going through domestic violence:
• VICTIMLINK 1 800-563-0808
• Victim Services 604 869-7770
• ReadRight Society 604-860-0510
• Ann Davis Transition Society 604-869-3201
• SAIL Senior Abuse Information Line 1-866-437-1940
• Jean Scott Transition House 604-869-5191
• Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 TEXT 686868
For more information about PLN and how to get involved, readers can contact Harrison-Hinds at sharrisonhinds@gmail.com or 604-869-4634. 0-=ko0-\
