YWCA sheds light on domestic violence

This year, more than 700 women and children in Hamilton County will seek refuge at the area’s YWCA battered women’s shelter as a result of domestic violence. The agency, this year alone, will field more than 12,000 hotline calls, says Kristin Smith Shrimplin, director of family violence prevention.

“Domestic violence diminishes the quality of life for everyone, especially children,” Shrimplin said in an e-mail. “Children who are exposed to domestic violence between birth and 5 years of age can lose up to eight IQ points, and boys who witness it are 1,000 times more likely to grow to abuse their intimate partners.”

Enough is enough.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the Purple Lights Night Campaign, which, this year, is being spearheaded by the YWCA of Greater Cincinnati. The campaign, a nationwide event, aims to increase awareness domestic violence and the impact it has on an entire community.

The YWCA was asked by the Ohio Attorney General’s office to lead the campaign for Southwestern Ohio, Shrimplin says. The campaign, she added, has three main objectives: remember domestic violence homicide victims; celebrate the courage of survivors; and provide hope, information, and services to those still living with violence and abuse.

The kick-off event for Cincinnati’s campaign is an Oct. 4 breakfast with keynote speaker Cincinnati police Chief James Craig. Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls will also present a proclamation. Other speakers include Pam Shannon, vice president of population management at Tri-Health, and Theresa Singleton, director of prevention from abuse at YWCA of Greater Cincinnati. The event will be hosted at 898 Walnut St.

Do Good:

• Promote purple: Thousands of employees at several businesses will wear purple ribbons throughout October to show support for domestic violence victims; about 800 Cincinnati police cruisers will sport the purple ribbons; and downtown’s Coffee Emporium will use 5,000 lids to promote awareness. Join them by wearing a ribbon, too.

• Light up the night: The Greater Cincinnati YWCA is asking residents and businesses to replace one of their traditional light bulbs with a purple bulb as a way to raise awareness of domestic violence.

• Purple and purses: Your attendance at a free event on Oct. 11 can help ensure the YWCA receives a donation of up to $10,000 from The Allstate Foundation. More information here.

By Taylor Dungjen