FARMINGTON – Bridges across Franklin County will sport purple bows this month, as advocates and law enforcement prepare for a full slate of activities and vigils designed to heighten awareness of domestic violence.
The bows are part of the Crossing Bridges program, which Safe Voices is running in Franklin, Androscoggin and Oxford counties. Hillary Hooke, the Franklin County community educator for Safe Voices, and Farmington Police Chief Jack Peck were on hand to tie three bows to Center Bridge Friday afternoon. Five bridges would be receiving similar treatment in Franklin County, Hooke said.
“We just wanted to raise awareness of this issue,” Peck said.
Hooke said that domestic violence arrests had risen 22 percent this year. That rise could represent additional outreach and enforcement, Hooke said, but also higher rates of occurrence.
Vigils have been organized in four communities, including Auburn, Rumford, Farmington and South Paris on Monday, Oct. 5. In Farmington, the vigil begins tonight at 6 p.m. at Meetinghouse Park. Participants will then march to the North Dining Hall in the Olsen Student Center on the University of Maine at Farmington campus, where Sheriff Scott Nichols and Assistant District Attorney Claire Andrews are expected to speak. Community members will be invited to share their own thoughts on domestic violence as well.
Meetinghouse Park will be decorated with purple lights this week, and people are invited to Wear Purple Day on Wednesday, Oct. 14 to show support for the victims of domestic violence. The following Wednesday, Oct. 21, is Paint Your Profile Purple Day, with more details available at the Safe Voices Facebook page.
On Oct. 7, interested parties can contact your local hospital or healthcare provider to find out if they are participating in Health Cares About DV Day to learn more about the role healthcare providers play in treating and advocating for patients experiencing domestic violence.
Safe Voices will also be at the Pumpkin Festival on Front Street in Farmington on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. They will also be at the Rangeley Senior Expo on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
UMF will be holding their own domestic violence awareness events, including a 5K run on Oct. 31.
