RUMFORD — Fall colors are starting to peak all over Maine but Safe Voices in Oxford County is hoping to see the color purple.

October is domestic violence awareness month, which was first enacted in 1995 by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence. The color purple has been used to display support for victims of domestic violence and to bring about awareness to the cause.

“We are excited to offer Oxford county businesses and establishments the opportunity to showcase their civic mindedness and creativity by participating in the paint the county purple contest,” Diane Gallagher of Safe Voices said.

This is the second year Safe Voices will be campaigning for area businesses and organizations to participate in the event. Ideas mentioned in an email to local businesses included hanging informational posters, displaying purple items in windows or reception areas, hanging purple lights, passing out purple ribbons and having a wear-the-color-purple day on Oct. 3.

Area teen groups from Eleven Circles in Mexico and It’s A Girl Thing in Oxford Hills will be judging the competition on message, creativity and use of the color purple.

The last day to register for those wanting to participate is Oct. 1 and can be done by calling Safe Voices at 364-9908, by email at dgallagher@safevoices.org, or at www.safevoices.org

Police Chief Stacey Carter of Rumford said he believes this is an important cause that should be brought to light not just in October but year-round.

“Domestic violence is something the Police Department deals with on a weekly and often daily basis,” Carter said. “It effects the whole community.”

Some statistics on local domestic violence issues include:

* Safe Voices provided services to 432 people in Oxford County in 2010, up from 364 the previous year.

* In 2010 there were 429 domestic complaints in Oxford County, up from 325 in 2009.

* As of July 28 Maine had 17 homicides,  nine of them domestic violence related.

Safe Voices in Oxford County will also host two vigils, one at the Village Green in Dixfield, and a second at Moore Park Gazebo in South Paris. All vigils will start at 6 p.m. Oct. 3.  The event is open to the public.

The vigils are to honor those who have lost their lives to domestic violence, offer hope to those still facing abuse and support those who have survived domestic violence.

Carter also mentioned he was researching the workplace domestic violence guidelines that the state has for all of its departments and a new tool kit that the Department of Public Safety has developed for Maine businesses.

“I would like to get the River Valley on board and offer this tool kit to local businesses,” Carter said.

The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 24 will host a fundraiser for Safe Voices starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, and going to midnight in the Legion hall at 184 Congress St. There will be a spaghetti supper and bake sale from 4 to 7 p.m. The cost is $5 for children, $7 for adults.

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