BOW VALLEY – Soroptimist International of Banff and Canmore (SIBC) wants everyone in the community to shed light on domestic violence this year – specifically in purple.
Running until November 10, the annual campaign asks that businesses and individuals take a stance against domestic violence by shining purple lights.
“Basically it’s to inform people in their community and make aware that domestic violence is not acceptable,” said Carolyn Russell of SIBC.
The campaign began in 2007 in the United States but was adopted by the local chapter of the Soroptimists a couple of years ago.
“The women were on it right away. It’s a very important campaign,” said Russell.
According to Statistics Canada, one quarter of all reported violent crime is towards an intimate partner, with women being the overwhelming majority of victims.
Statistics Canada also shows that domestic violence is one of Canada’s most underreported crimes, with less than one in five incidents of violence reported to police.
Russell, who billets a Canmore Eagles player, decided to reach out to the organization for assistance in helping SIBC to sell purple lights throughout Canmore.
“Not only are we asking the Eagles to help us ... but what a great way to show this community these young men are against domestic violence,” she said.
The Eagles players were able to sell all of their purple lights after canvassing local businesses across Canmore.
“It was a huge success as they sold out of their lights that day,” said Jacqueline Hurlbert, director of business operations and community relations for the Canmore Eagles.
For the past several years the team has been involved in causes to prevent domestic violence, including working with the Banff YWCA.
“With Bow Valley Walk a Mile in Her Shoes and getting our players involved in that, that’s been kind of our foot in the door into the fight against domestic violence,” said Hurlbert.
All of the proceeds from the sale of purple lights go towards helping local Bow Valley women and girls.
For those looking to assist the Soroptimist International of Banff and Canmore, either for the purple light campaign, or for its continuing efforts to improve the lives of local women, the group can be contacted via email at [email protected].
