Watch for red flags and look for the purple light.
October is Domestic Violence (DV) Awareness Month, and the Kent-based nonprofit Domestic Abuse Women’s Network (DAWN) is preparing early, with upcoming Purple Light Nights events in support of survivors of domestic abuse and a place to “give a voice to victims.”
For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, DAWN is bringing back the Purple Light Nights, along with survivor silhouettes known as Silent Witnesses, which will be on display throughout South King County.
Founded by Victoria Throm of the Covington Domestic Violence Task Force in 2007, the silhouettes are life-sized and wooden, representing DV survivors and are accompanied by QR codes that, when scanned, lead to “true stories from the journeys of real DV survivors” whose names have been changed to protect anonymity.
“Originally, the silhouettes were in honor of those who lost their lives, but DAWN wants to focus on prevention and on life, as prevention is life-saving,” said Christine Rose, DAWN’s Interim Development Director. “Our survivor silhouettes are representing those that were able to get to safety.”
Rose said that last year, DAWN’s support line served 4,659 people and that DAWN’s community advocacy program served 1,773 people.
DV awareness is an important issue in South King County, particularly in cities like Kent, Auburn, unincorporated King County, Federal Way, Bellevue and Renton.
According to recent data from 2023, there were 17,675 DV offenses reported in King County alone. While the majority were handled by the Seattle Police Department, 1,831 were under the jurisdiction of the Kent PD, while there were 1,114 in Auburn, 755 in Federal Way and 626 reported in Renton.
According to Rose, there are many red flags that can point to a potential domestic abuse situation, like:
• Controlling behavior.
• Isolating someone from family and friends.
• Proposing marriage too soon.
• Jealous or possessive behavior.
• Aggressive or someone who doesn’t have control over how they interact with people.
• No job stability.
• Threatens to harm your pets.
• Manipulates your environment.
Upcoming events
In the leadup to DV Awareness Month, several cities throughout the area will host DAWN events. On Sept. 25, the Purple Light Nights Reception will be from 5:30-7 p.m. at Green River College Kent Campus on 417 Ramsay Way in Kent, followed by a 1K walk to DAWN to walk in solidarity with survivors.
On Sept. 27, Covington will have its Purple Light Nights Walk and Tree Lighting at 6 p.m., with check-in by 5:45 p.m. at the Covington Fred Meyer.
On Oct. 6, Renton will host its own A Walk In Her Steps Solidarity Walk from downtown Renton to City Hall at 5:30 p.m., preceding the City of Renton Mayoral Proclamation for DV Awareness Month.
On Oct. 12, from 1-4 p.m., there will be a survivor art opening at Good Vibes Barbershop and Community Space called Art Against Silence.
On Nov. 6, from 10-11:30 a.m., the Purple Light Nights Wrap Party and prize drawing event will take place at DAWN headquarters in Kent. For more information, visit dawnrising.org/events/purple-light-nights.
To talk to the DAWN advocacy and support line, call 425-656-7867.
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