FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 2, 2019
CONTACT: Jenna Gormal, Public Policy Coordinator | End Domestic Abuse WI | jennag@endabusewi.org | 608.237.3985
Simultaneous events took place in Madison, Stevens Point, and Milwaukee on Monday, September 30th to remember the victims killed in domestic violence incidences in 2018. These annual events are intended to honor those who lost their lives and raise awareness about the warning signs of domestic violence. The walk that took place in Madison, known as the Purple Ribbon Walk, circled the Capitol Square and was organized by Zonta Club of Madison in conjunction with Unidos, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS), and End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. The walk in Stevens Point, sponsored by the Portage County Coordinated Community Response team, began outside the Portage County Courthouse. In Milwaukee, the walk was hosted by Zonta Says No to Violence Against Women, and took place at City Hall.“Zonta Club of Madison is dedicated to raising awareness and ending violence against women. We partner with other like-minded organizations to bring awareness of domestic violence and other forms of violence to the community,” said Sandy Peterson, Zonta Centennial Chair. The Purple Ribbon Walk recognizes the yearly homicide victims with the hope that this awareness will help to end the violence. Zonta International is celebrating its Centennial in 2019 – empowering women since 1919.”
“Today our community honored and reflected on the lives lost to domestic violence; it is imperative that we learn from their loss, and that we make the necessary changes to intervene and prevent domestic violence homicide,” said Patti Seger, Executive Director of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. “Each year this walk is a reminder of why our work is critically important.”
“Domestic violence has a devastating and long-lasting impact in our community that we see every day,” said Shannon Barry, Executive Director of DAIS. “The Purple Ribbon Walk allows us to honor the lives lost each year and is an important part of our community’s healing process. We also want to raise awareness of clear risk factors because domestic violence homicides are preventable. It is critical to acknowledge these risk factors to protect survivors in abusive relationships.”
“Honoring the lives of those who died from domestic violence is the ultimate call to action,” said Verónica Figueroa, Executive Director of Unidos Against Domestic Violence. “Domestic violence impacts everyone, and we all have a roll in ending violence.”
The Purple Ribbon Walk took place after a reading of the names of all the victims of domestic violence from 2018.
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence is the leading voice for victims of domestic abuse in Wisconsin. At End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, we educate shelter and program volunteers and advocates, law enforcement, legislators, and community members to provide safety and support to survivors. We strive to shift Wisconsin from the attitudes and beliefs that cause domestic violence to values of mutual respect and equality, and we partner with communities in the effort to prevent and end domestic abuse. We encourage reporters to include the National Domestic Violence Hotline number [1−800−799−SAFE(7233)] in their stories for victims who need help. A list of local Wisconsin domestic violence victim service providers can be found at http://www.endabusewi.org.