DVAM Events

With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we had some amazing events and outreach by members of our community. One example was the WCA’s #31in31 challenge on social media to do one thing each day to start conversations around the issue of domestic violence in our community. We would like to highlight four special #31in31.

The first was #RibbonDay on October 12^th where community members wore purple ribbons in solidarity with survivors. Those wearing ribbons were then asked by friends, family, co-workers and strangers to explain the significance of the ribbon. It was a starting point for engaging in conversations about how 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. We challenge our community to continue to wear this ribbon and keep up these discussions.

Second, we asked members of the community to share their reason for saying #NoMore to domestic violence. Signs were in our lobby and throughout the community where individuals could write their personal reason for taking a stand. We say #NoMore because domestic abuse is not something that should be happening in any community because love does not hurt.

We also hosted the Clothesline Project at Boise State University with the Women’s Center. Here students could stop by and view the shirts painted by local survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault. This project gives a voice to survivors and creates a powerful display of what is too often considered a private matter. These shirts display an individual’s pain and fear, but also the hope and healing on the long, difficult road from abuse to freedom.

Finally, we asked Boise to #WearPurple on October 15 to help give a voice to those who cannot speak. Purple is the color of domestic violence awareness and by wearing this color we are showing our support of survivors and victims. Participants demonstrated that we want to bring awareness to this issue and how we can all work to change lives and end domestic violence in Boise.
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