• By Dewanna Hamlin
• Posted Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Wear purple for Domestic Violence Month

It’s time to POP YOUR PURPLE!!! There is no color under the sun that makes us feel like royalty as wearing the color purple. History reminds us that purple dye and fabrics were once rare and expensive and available only to royalty. In 1981, during the first Day of Unity, the color purple was selected to promote awareness of domestic violence. In a few short years, the Day of Unity evolved when Congress passed legislation naming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Every October, we continue to wear purple to symbolize the courage it takes to endure the power, control, and isolation in addition to the resolve it takes to reach out for help. Wearing purple recognizes the trauma of all abusive and violent acts, whether physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial and the resilience to rebuild a life after healing.

Through October 31st, consider adding something to your existing wardrobe in the color spectrum of purple. Try integrating a spark of this shade to your ties, socks, suits, dresses, scarves, blazers, hats, hair, or jewelry. If wearing purple clothing or accessories isn’t your speed, pin a purple ribbon on almost anything you own in solidarity with survivors and individuals who work with survivors, every day. Encourage others at your workplace, school, or faith community to find creative ways to learn more about domestic violence. Although October is a great time to educate others about red flags and resources, domestic violence outreach is available year-round.

Organizations including the National Network to End Domestic Violence and the Violence Policy Center have reported that nearly three women are murdered every day by a current or former intimate partner in the U.S. Leaving an abusive relationship is the most dangerous time. According to the Jersey Battered Women’s Service, there is a 75% increase of violence after separation for at least two years.

When we “pop our purple,” we are sending a signal to survivors, that we acknowledge their pain. We are sending a signal to perpetrators, that their actions are unacceptable. We are sending a signal to service providers that we can lean on each other, that no one agency can solve the complexity of domestic violence alone. We are sending a signal to decision makers, funders, leaders and elected officials that children and adults deserve to be safe, treated with dignity, respect, kindness, and compassion—always. We are sending a signal to systems and institutions to withhold judgment and instead, recognize trauma. We are sending a signal with our purple, for communities to acknowledge the realities of survivors who often delay seeking help or follow through, due to lack of transportation or childcare, or fear missing too many days from work. We are sending a signal with our purple to encourage YOU in your own way, to use your voice, to be a catalyst for change.

As you pop your purple in your own way this October, remember that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men worldwide have an experience with interpersonal violence. Your small show of support may lift a survivor's spirit, encourage their heart, and care for their soul on a day when they need to be reminded they are seen, heard, and remembered for their strength and resilience.