October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Samaritan House is once again promoting awareness with the Paint 757 Purple campaign for the fourth year. The organization is hoping to reach a wider audience with the campaign.
In addition to partnering with local businesses to raise awareness, the organization is producing a televised public service announcement, which will debut on local television later this month.
“Now, more than ever, individuals and families are under a great deal of health and economic stress due to the pandemic, that has caused a spike in domestic violence and need for our services the past several months. This October will be particularly important to keep a spotlight on the issue of domestic violence,” said Robin Gauthier, Executive Director of Samaritan House.
Domestic violence has always been a problem in Virginia, but the COVID 19 pandemic has compounded the issue, creating a greater need for support and services for victims of domestic abuse. One third of women and nearly one quarter of men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner in Virginia.
Samaritan House is collaborating with Studio Center, a locally based production company to produce “Doors”, a 30 second, uplifting public awareness campaign scheduled to air online and on streaming services later in the month. In addition, a full-scale social media campaign that will help raise awareness of domestic violence in our community.
In addition, Paint 757 Purple business partners will participate in building awareness and assist with fundraising initiatives, including selling Samaritan House face masks and asking patrons to make a donation of any size via a donation box or by texting “SAM” to 50155.
The public is also invited to wear purple and patronize our partners on October 22 for National Wear Purple Day. For a list of participating businesses or to learn how to get involved with the Paint 757 Purple campaign, visit www.paint757purple.org.
Since 1984, Samaritan House has sought to foster personal safety, growth and self-sufficiency in adults and their children through freedom from sexual and domestic violence, human trafficking and homelessness in Hampton Roads by providing emergency and permanent housing, support services and community outreach to victims.
