The Purple Ribbon Campaign to end violence against women in our society is a time to remember that all women and men need to be part of the solution to ending violence against women.
Purple is the colour of the ribbons that will be given out by more than 50 participating local businesses as part of the campaign.
Some women and men are also going as far as having their hair dyed purple, or having purple extensions put in their hair to highlight the event.
The campaign began Sunday, Dec. 1 and goes to Tuesday Dec. 10 and coincides with the national Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women this Friday, Dec. 6.
The Women’s Contact Society is delivering the Purple Ribbon Campaign in Williams Lake with support from local businesses.
Free removable hair extensions are available Wednesday, Dec. 4 to Saturday, Dec. 7 at Intrigue Hair Studio between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. or at Eloquence Spa & Salon between noon and 3 p.m.
Purple hair is also available at Thompson Rivers University on Thursday, Dec. 5 from 12:30 to 4 p.m.
The purple ribbon, like the Purple Heart, symbolizes the injury and suffering of victims of violence, in this case not victims of war or political violence, but of violence against women in our homes, schools, neighbourhoods.
The Women’s Contact Society is urging the community to support the campaign for the following reasons.
• Domestic violence hurts our children, women, community and economy.
• The World Health Organization states 35 per cent of women worldwide have experienced either intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence during their lifetime.
• Education is the key, not distrust, silence, or denial.
• Domestic violence has long-term community effects; 80 per cent of all violent criminals report a history of experiencing or witnessing violence as a child.