Herkimer College Brings Awareness to Domestic Violence

Herkimer College’s College Center entrance is lit up in purple this month in an effort to bring awareness to domestic violence. This is one of several ways Herkimer College is doing its part to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to let victims know they’re not alone and that resources are available regardless of where they live. Purple is the symbolic color for domestic violence awareness, and historically, the battered women’s movement.

The College is hosting the Domestic Violence Program of Herkimer County on-campus throughout the month of October. In addition to providing information to the campus community, representatives are making materials available for students to make t-shirts for the Clothesline Project which will be displayed in the College Center Lobby during the week of October 27. The Clothesline Project started on Cape Cod, MA in 1990 to address the issue of violence against women. It is a vehicle for women affected by violence to express their emotions by decorating a shirt. The shirts are then hung on a clothesline to be viewed by others as testimony to the problem of violence against women. With the support of many, it has since spread world-wide. By having the Clothesline Project displayed at Herkimer College, survivors are helped to connect and heal together.

Faculty, staff and students wore purple for National Wear Purple Day on October 15, to show support and raise awareness of domestic violence.