RUMFORD — October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Oxford County Domestic Violence Task Force is sponsoring some community events.
The task force is also asking that the color purple be displayed throughout communities as a show of support for victims, survivors and advocates, Stacy Carter, Rumford police chief, said in a news release this week.
“The display of purple throughout a community conveys a powerful message that there’s no place for domestic violence in homes, neighborhoods, workplaces or schools of its citizens,” Carter said.
The second annual Paint the County Purple Contest begins Monday, Oct. 1. Oxford County businesses and residents are invited to showcase their civic mindedness and creativity by displaying purple items, hanging purple lights and wearing purple to bring awareness to domestic violence, Carter said.
Citing county statistics, the chief said there were 437 domestic violence complaints in Oxford County last year. That’s up from 429 in 2010. Additionally, Maine had 28 homicides last year, of which 13 were domestic-violence related.
As of Aug. 1 this year, of Maine has had nine homicides, four of them domestic violence related, Carter said.
Businesses may register for the Paint the County Purple Contest online at safevoices.org or by calling 364-9908. Carter said the winners will have their names engraved on the plaque to be displayed at their business for the year.
Also on Oct. 1, there will be vigils in honor and memory of those affected by domestic violence, he said. The vigils will be held at 6 p.m. at the Mexico gazebo behind the Town Office and in South Paris at Moore Park.
On Wednesday, Oct. 17, it is Wear Purple Day countywide.
“Feel free to wear (purple) as often as you can throughout the month,” Carter said.
From 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, at Hosmer Field in Rumford, there will be a walk to honor survivors and those affected by domestic violence. Every “step” Matters is the name of the walk. The event is free.
Safe Voices will sell purple light bulbs to those who would like to display them to raise community awareness to domestic violence.
These may be found at the River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition on River Street or by visiting the Safe Voices website to request a delivery. The bulbs cost $3 each.
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