October is domestic violence awareness month

COUNTY — October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In an attempt to enhance community awareness, the Oxford County Domestic Violence Task Force will be sponsoring some community events.

In addition to the demonstration of support for victims, survivors and advocates, the display of purple throughout a community conveys a powerful message that there’s no place for domestic violence in the homes, neighborhoods, workplaces or schools of its citizens.

The second annual Paint the County Purple Contest begins on October 1. Businesses and residents are invited to showcase their civic mindedness and creativity by displaying purple items, hanging purple lights or wearing purple to bring awareness to domestic violence.

Businesses can register in the contest on-line at safevoices.org or by calling 364-9908. The winner will have their name engraved on the plaque to be displayed at their business for the year.

Also on October 1 there will be a vigil in honor and memory of those affected by domestic violence. The vigil will be held at the Mexico gazebo behind the Town Office at 6 p.m.

There will be a wear purple day on October 17. Feel free to wear it as often as you can throughout the month.

On October 20 there will be a walk to honor survivors and those affected by domestic violence. Every “step” matters. This walk will be from 9 to 11 a.m. at Hosmer Field in Rumford and will be held rain or shine. This is a free event; come join in.

Safe Voices will be selling purple light bulbs to those who would like to display them in an effort to bring community awareness to Domestic Violence. They can be found at River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition on River Street and will be selling for $3.

There were 437 domestic complaints in Oxford County in 2011, up from 429 in 2010. In 2011, of the 28 homicides in Maine, 13 were domestic violence related. As of August 1, 2012, of the nine homicides, four are domestic violence related. Please help put a stop to domestic violence.