Stylist Danny Moses has personal reasons for volunteering to put purple extensions in the hair of visitors invited to Eloquence Spa Monday evening.
The purple extensions are part of the Women’s Contact Society’s annual Purple Ribbon Campaign to raise awareness that violence against women is not OK.
Moses says he has worked hard to break the cycle of violence that gripped his own family as he was growing up.
“I was the youngest of 13 children and was personally affected by violence. I experienced everything you can imagine when it comes to child abuse,” Moses says.
He says he has worked hard to break the cycle of violence in his family and raise awareness about the problem in society.
“None of my children experience violence whatsoever,” Moses says. “It is a recovery of a whole generation.”
He says that while he was living in Merritt he organized a men’s pageant to raise awareness among men about the problem and to raise money for the Merritt women’s shelter.
He says 18 men from various professions participated in the show which included men dressing up as women, delivering speeches and participating in a talent contest.
“We raised so much money for the cause it was ridiculous,” Moses says.
In Williams Lake the Cariboo Friendship Centre’s Chiwid Transition House provides a safe place for women and children leaving abusive relationships.
The centre is funded for 16 beds and is staffed 24 hours a day.
Everything is provided to the women and children including beds, bedding and food.
The staff make referrals to other community service providers and attend court as support for the women in their care.
Child care is provided a couple of days a week and there is a counsellor on staff who meets with clients once a week to assess the situation.
The maximum stay at the shelter is 30 days. Staff also help find housing for women leaving violent or abusive relationships. Chiwid also accepts donations of furniture, bedding, beds, dishes and clothing as well as non-perishable groceries to help in the transition.