October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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EVANSTON — October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a fact that local officials and representatives from numerous agencies marked with a ceremony on Monday, Oct. 2.
Citizens gathered in front of the Uinta County Complex, many donning purple, for a prayer, a moment of silence and a proclamation signing by Evanston Mayor Kent Williams.
According to officials, statistics show that one in three women and one in seven men will be victims of domestic violence at some point in their lifetime. The month of October has been designated as a month to both raise awareness and to honor the victims of domestic violence.
Following the ceremonies at the Uinta County Complex, citizens walked to the Beeman-Cashin Building and released purple balloons into the sky. Many participants wrote the names of victims on the balloons prior to releasing them.
Refreshments were then served inside, where the tables were decorated with purple and candles were lit in memory of those whose lives were lost to domestic violence.
Monika Anson, director of SAFV, said that they have many fun activities planned for the month. In addition to proclamation signing events in Evanston, Mountain View, Lyman and Bear River, there will be a pet parade and balloon release at 12 p.m. on Oct. 14 at Lyman Town Hall. Participants are encouraged to wear purple. Soup lunch will also be served.
There are also “Light the Night Against Domestic Violence” black light Zumba events planned, at which participants are encouraged to wear glow sticks and white. These will be held from 11 a.m. to noon and again from 7-8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, at Urie Elementary, as well as from 8-9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 23, at the Evanston Recreation Center.
The “Be Someone’s Rock” campaign will be taking place all month. SAFV staff and volunteers have painted dozens of rocks with myths and facts about domestic violence and have hidden them throughout Evanston, Bear River, and the Bridger Valley. Families are encouraged to look for the rocks and post pictures on the SAFV Facebook page using the hashtag #besomeonesrock.