Domestic Violence Awareness Month This October

My papa had a terrible accident when he burned down his house. Mama said we had to move because it wasn’t safe. I don’t remember much about him now because I was only three. But I know I got a baby brother and my mom and my older sister and I have been taking care of him, and we moved into an apartment where I have my own bed. It’s really nice. – Nina, age 5.   The number one cause of family homelessness in King County is domestic violence. One in four women and one in seven men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner. The type of crime with the highest risk of lethality for both citizens involved and the police who respond to the call is a domestic violence call. Domestic abuse is cyclical and progressive. Abuse can start with manipulation, gaslighting, and control, and escalate to threats, physical violence, and extreme contempt leading to murders and suicide. Around the US, District 5030, and King County, Rotary clubs are lighting the way in purple for our local communities to learn about and reduce domestic violence. Purple Light Nights®, supported since its inception by Covington Rotary Club, is now a global DV awareness campaign founded in 2006 by Victoria Throm, a co-founder of Covington Domestic Violence Task Force (CDVTF).

• Linda Akey, Rotary Club of Burien and White Center member, offered planning advice to help grow Purple Light Nights® impact for 2025 and 2026 across King County and beyond.
• On September 25, several Kent Rotary Club members attended and supported Kent Rotary member Gina Finley, Executive Director of DAWN, at the Kent Purple Light Nights® Kickoff Reception and 1 K Walk from Kent Station to DAWN – Domestic Abuse Women’s Network, the largest provider of DV survivor services and confidential emergency DV shelter in South King County.
• Covington Rotary Club partnered with the City of Covington, the Covington Purple Light Nights® Committee, and community partners to host Purple Light Nights® Walk and purple tree lighting event on September 27 to kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Covington.
• Rotarians in Renton supported the first Renton Purple Light Nights 1.2 mile walk on October 6 with Seahawks Blue Thunder and Seahawks Dance Team members leading the walk.
• On November 14 District 5030 Rotary hockey fans are invited to join DAWN friends at the Seattle Thunderbirds game. Tickets on sale for $32 (normally $41.95), $10 of each ticket benefits DAWN to fund the largest South King County DV Emergency Shelter for women and families. Contact development@dawnrising.org to bring your Rotary Club to the game.

Concerned Rotarians can also support DV survivors by hosting a fundraiser or social media challenge to benefit DAWN or service partners supporting DV survivors, and by following “In Her Shoes®,” an online interactive story of Sierra, a DV survivor. Sierra’s journey is released in episodes throughout the month of October via DAWN’s website, www.dawnrising.org. In Her Shoes® was created by WSCADV (Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence). Participants are invited to celebrate the success of Purple Light Nights® in King County on November 6 from 10 – 11:30 AM at a Purple Light Nights® Wrap Party/Prize Drawing Event at DAWN’s HQ Office at 220 W. Gowe, Kent., including drawing the name of one lucky website visitor who engages with “In Her Shoes®,” to win a 7-night stay at The Cliffs in Princeville Resort in Kauai, plus two round trip airline tickets sponsored by Alaska Airlines. Special thanks to Rotary District 5030 clubs for sponsoring and contributing to Purple Light Nights® events. Together, Rotarians are working to make our communities safer and more peaceful. Since 1980, DAWN stands with all survivors of domestic abuse, helps them rebuild their lives, and strives to make our communities safer by preventing and addressing violence through education and advocacy.  Visit www.dawnrising.org or contact ginaf@dawnrising.org or development@dawnrising.org  for more information or to book a speaker from DAWN for your club meeting. Registration links for events can be found at https://dawnrising.org/events/purple-light-nights/.