Barbara shows off her life-size purple silhouette
and tells her story of triumph over domestic
violence and alcohol abuse.
September 30, 2009
Purple People Tell their Stories
Have you seen the purple people around town? Why are they here? Well, it’s because October is nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During October, purple is the color of the day. Purple people…purple ribbons.
30 life-sized purple silhouettes of women, children, men, and even a dog, have been placed at various locations throughout Amador County. Operation Care staff and volunteers have prepared the county-wide display, featuring statistics and stories contributed by advocates, clients, and survivors who have dealt with domestic violence. This display was developed as a take-off of the national “Silent Witness Exhibits” to raise awareness about the impact of domestic violence in our community.
Each silhouette has a different, real life story or situation. Some contain statistics about domestic violence. There is even a silhouette of a dog that is protected on a restraining order, due to new legislation as of January 1st, which allows pets to be protected. “I am hoping that people can read these stories and realize that Domestic Violence is happening in their own communities to their own neighbors and friends,” explained Tammie Crabtree, Program Manager for Operation Care. “I'm hopeful that this awareness campaign will no longer allow people to say ‘I didn't know’. “
The stories serve to show that domestic violence does not discriminate, and it affects the entire community. One out of four adult women is a victim of domestic violence at some point in her lifetime; men can be victims as well. Domestic violence affects people of all ages, racial groups, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, educational backgrounds, and income levels.
Barbara is a survivor who got behind the campaign by posing with her purple silhouette and by telling her own triumphant story:
“I am a 42 year old woman.
I have lived with abuse since childhood.
I grew up not knowing any different kind of love.
I have lost my children because of the lifestyle I lived.
My last relationship was almost my death.
I was beaten so badly that my left lung is paralyzed and I have no teeth left in my mouth.
At times he would hit me so much I thought I would die.
But I always thought it was my fault.
If only I didn’t do this or said that.
I used alcohol to numb the pain in my life.
Today I have learned to live a new life thanks to Operation Care.
I go to a Domestic Violence class and see a counselor;
I am also involved in a 12 step recovery program.
I have learned that I was the victim and that I ’m a good person.
Today I have self-esteem.
I walk with my head high, not low.
I know the red flags, and I now know that I deserve a better life
And I have the tools to make it happen.
I am a living survivor!”
Look for all 30 purple people throughout the county and read their stories. The individual stories are posted here: (English) (Spanish)
In addition to the purple silhouettes, posters declaring “Peace Begins at Home” will be distributed around Amador County by Operation Care. Baskets filled with purple ribbons and bracelets to wear or display will also be placed at many local merchants and business offices. The purple ribbon is a unifying symbol of courage, survival, honor, and dedication to ending domestic violence.
“During this National month of awareness, we encourage everyone to show support for healthy family relationships by reading the messages on the silhouettes, and by displaying a purple ribbon or bracelet,” said Lynn Shield, Executive Director of Operation Care. “We believe the silent witness exhibit will build on the message that there is no place for domestic violence in the homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, or schools of our citizens. We wanted to make an impact, and we also wanted people to know that if they are, or have been the victim of domestic violence, they are not alone, and help is available.”
Shield adds that domestic violence is the use or threat of using physical, emotional, verbal, or sexual abuse with the intent of controlling someone by instilling fear and using intimidation. There are several types of abuse:
Physical Abuse: Verbal threats of violence, pushing, shoving, hitting, slapping, punching, pinching, biting, kicking, holding down, pinning against a wall, choking, throwing objects, breaking objects, punching walls, driving recklessly to scare, blocking exits and using weapons.
Emotional/Verbal Abuse: Name calling, threats, criticizing, yelling, humiliating, isolation, economic abuse (controlling finances, preventing victim from working), threatening to hurt children or pets, stalking.
Sexual Abuse: Unwanted touching, sexual name calling, false accusations of sexual infidelity, forced sex, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease, HIV transmission.
Where to go for Help:
If you or someone you know needs help, dial 911 or call the 24-hour crisis line at 209-223-2600. Operation Care provides safe shelter for women, men, and children, as well as counseling, support services, crisis intervention, education, and referrals. For more information, to make a contribution, to volunteer your services, or to obtain purple ribbons for your group, office, or organization, please call 209-223-2897.
Related web sites:
Operation Care: http://www.operationcare.org
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence: http://www.cpedv.org
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Home Page: http://dvam.vawnet.org/
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: http://www.ncadv.org
Kaiser Permanente Silent Witness Display: http://xnet.kp.org/domesticviolence/silentwitness/
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Lynn Shield
Executive Director
Operation Care
621 New York Ranch Road
Jackson, CA 95642
(209) 223-2897
lynn@operationcare.org