The Purple Light Nights campaign is lighting up porches and businesses with a purple glow across the Eastern Fraser Valley for the entire month of October.
The annual campaign reminds everyone there is no place for domestic violence in the community.
The purple lights are meant to let survivors know they are not alone, and it honours those who have lost their lives to intimate partner or family violence.
Chilliwack RCMP responds to more than 50,000 calls for service a year, and 1,400 of those calls are for domestic violence incidents, according to Cpl. Carmen Kiener of the Chilliwack RCMP’s domestic violence unit.
“Domestic violence is a social issue that can affect anyone regardless of age, sexual orientation, economic background, or race.” said Kiener. “It not only affects victims, but also children in the home, family members, and sometimes even pets.”
Life-sized silhouettes of victims of this type of violence will be placed in locations throughout the City of Chilliwack, District of Kent and the District of Hope.
“Because these women, men and children no longer have a voice, these silhouettes are called Silent Witnesses.”
The campaign always includes purple light bulbs, strands of purple lights, as well as T-shirts and wristbands made available to support the awareness effort.
The Purple Light Nights started in Covington, Washington in 2007 as a novel way to highlight domestic violence awareness every October and now it’s in cities across North America.
Lighting ceremonies with purple lights were held by RCMP in Hope’s Memorial Park on Oct. 1 at 6 p.m., and at the Chilliwack RCMP detachment on Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at on Airport Road. District of Kent will have an information booth at the Community Recreation and Cultural Centre, 6660 Pioneer Ave., Agassiz for the month of October.
Upcoming events for 2023:
Oct. 7: Chilliwack Chiefs game at Chilliwack Coliseum
Oct. 14: Community BBQ, 11-2, with Like Bears performing in Canadian Tire parking lot
Oct. 27: Information table at the Longhouse
Participating Purple Light Nights partners in Chilliwack:
Fortins; Garrison Liquor; Jolly Miller, Eagle Landing Liquor, Honda/Mazda, Luna Float, Kauri Chiropractor, Thrive Collective; Unique Thrifting; Pro Health Pharmacist; Coast hotel; Corkys Liquor Store; Doorway-25 wristbands; Sonic Bark Vinyl; Community Policing office; Pick Eco Refills; Harvest Café; Teddy Bear Dreams; Mary’s; and Peyton & Buckle.
RELATED: Purple is a reminder of zero tolerance for domestic abuse