FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Fort Wayne Police Department along with Victim Assistance is marking the mission of the month this Friday and hoping the community will join them.
Mayor Tom Henry has declared Friday, October 29, 2021, as “Wear Your Purple Day’’ in the City of Fort Wayne in order to help raise awareness for the ongoing efforts to end domestic violence. The groups will also hold an event on the courthouse lawn to stand with and show support to victims.
The following was issued along with the announcement:
Nearly one out of every four women and one in seven men have suffered as a victim of severe intimate partner violence, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Domestic violence affects the workplace and legal systems; and it is a critical healthcare issue. Women, men and children of all ages are affected by violence and abuse. Violence of any kind—physical, sexual, psychological or verbal—is never justified. Victim Assistance, FWPD joined other advocates, victims’, survivors’, professionals and local businesses in promoting Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a Balloon Release at the Allen County Courthouse front lawn.
Victim Assistance has worked to serve clients and raise awareness about the dangers of and to protect women, men and children from domestic violence. We are hopeful that the resources and services our agency offers will give courage to victims to leave their abuser as well as educate others on the signs exhibited by persons experiencing domestic violence. During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we reaffirm our dedication and recommit to doing everything in our power to uphold the basic human right to be free from violence and abuse. We all have a responsibility to try to end this serious problem. We call on all Americans to speak out against domestic violence and support local efforts to assist victims of these crimes in finding the help and healing they so desperately need.
Though we have made great progress in bringing awareness to and providing protections against domestic violence, much work remains to be done.
Along with the mayor’s declaration to wear purple on Friday you can show your support by joining the groups on Friday, October 29, 2021 at 11:45 am at the Allen County Courthouse Front Lawn for an event to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month and support victims.