Purple ribbons commemorate National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

MILWAUKEE -- October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to raise awareness, the organization Community Advocates installed two 10-foot-tall purple ribbons on a downtown Milwaukee building between Wells St. and Wisconsin Ave.

The purple ribbons – international symbols of domestic violence awareness – will remain on the building through the end of October. 

Community Advocates operates the Milwaukee Women’s Center, which provides comprehensive domestic violence services in the greater Milwaukee area.

Community Advocates officials say domestic violence happens in the greater Milwaukee community far too often. Of the 29,941 domestic violence incidents reported to law enforcement and referred to district attorneys' offices in Wisconsin in 2010, more than 27% of those (a staggering 8,205 incidents) occurred right here in Milwaukee County. 

According to the 2010 Wisconsin Domestic Violence Homicide Report, domestic violence claimed the lives of 58 people across our state and 21 died in Milwaukee County, representing 36% of all lethal incidents.

As a Division of Community Advocates, the Milwaukee Women’s Center provides emergency shelter and transportation for battered women and their children; food, clothing, toiletries and personal items; a 24-hour crisis line; services for older women (age 50+) who have been abused by their spouses or adult sons/daughters; children’s programming for the littlest victims of domestic violence; case management services to help individuals and families meet housing and other basic needs; and counseling/therapy to address domestic violence and other issues.

For services, call the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s 24-Hour Crisis Line at (414) 671-6140.  Around the clock help is available.