The Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Coalition (DSVPC) and GreenHouse17 are partnering with local businesses and organizations to raise awareness of domestic violence during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.
From Oct. 4 – 31, Lexington businesses and organizations will display purple pumpkins to show that domestic violence can be found everywhere. Purple is the nationally recognized color for domestic violence awareness and the purple pumpkins are part of a new Peace Pumpkins campaign from GreenHouse17 and DSVPC.
"We've had such great support for our city-wide awareness events and are excited to support survivors and raise awareness about domestic violence in October,” said Ashley Hill, Chair of the DSVPC Outreach and Awareness Committee and Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Wellbeing at Transylvania University. “By placing these pumpkins around Lexington, in many different types of locations, we hope survivors will see how many resources are available and find safety in our city."
“Each pumpkin has a QR code linking to a list of local domestic violence resources and services,” said Stephanie Theakston, coordinator for the DSVPC.
The pumpkins were sourced from a local farm and painted purple by students from Transylvania University’s women’s soccer and field hockey teams. Anyone is welcome to join the campaign by painting and decorating their own purple pumpkin.
Residents are encouraged to take a picture of themselves with the purple pumpkins they find and post the photo on social media using #PeacePumpkins and #LexStopDSV to spread the word of support and resources even further.
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Learn more about the Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Coalition and GreenHouse17 on their websites.
Anyone who has been or knows someone who has been a victim or survivor of domestic violence can contact GreenHouse17’s 24-hour Crisis Hotline at 1-800-544-2022.
