Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow presents representatives from Oswego County Opportunities’ Services to Aid Families program with a proclamation designating October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Oswego. In a show of support City Hall will be bathed in purple light, the official color for Domestic Violence Awareness. Standing in front of SAF’s Silent Witness and Survivor Flag Display outside City Hall are from left; Officer Michaela Frost, SAF Educator / Advocate Sara Carmichael, Mayor Barlow, SAF Community Response Coordinator Stacie France, SAF Advocate Jake West, and Officer Chelsea Giovo.
OSWEGO, NY – 30 years ago, victim service providers and survivors of domestic violence launched a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the epidemic of domestic violence.
Over the last three decades, much progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors, to hold abuser accountable, and to create and update legislation to further those goals.
But there is still work to be done to combat the epidemic of domestic violence.
According to national statistics, 1 in 4 women in the U.S. will experience domestic violence and every 9 seconds, a woman is beaten or assaulted by an intimate partner or spouse.
Additionally, domestic violence represents a substantial number of calls received by police.
And a police officer’s safety is at increased risk when responding to a domestic incident.
Oswego County Opportunities Services to Aid Families program is the domestic violence and rape crisis program serving Oswego County and has provided crisis, supportive, advocacy and educational services throughout Oswego County for over 30 years.
In 2016, SAF served almost 550 victims and survivors and answered more than 2,300 calls on its Crisis Hotline.
Domestic violence advocates report that the “devastating physical, emotional, and psychological impact of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.”
With the help of its community partners, SAF continues to increase outreach and education efforts to raise awareness of domestic violence within our community and work towards eliminating barriers for victims in need of accessing services.
SAF will have its annual “Silent Witness and Survivor Flag Display” at various locations throughout the county, including outside Oswego City Hall, at Indian Point along Route 481 in the city of Fulton, on the SUNY Oswego Campus, and in North Park in the village of Pulaski.
The red figures in the display represent individuals who have lost their lives from domestic violence and those that suffer in silence.
The purple flags represent the 550 victims and survivors SAF served in 2016.
As part of New York State’s Shine the Light campaign, the exterior of Oswego City Hall, OCO’s main office building in Fulton, and the exterior signage at the main entrance to SUNY Oswego’s campus will be lit purple during the month of October.
SAF’s local Shine the Light campaign will connect our communities with others across the state by turning New York purple – the symbolic color of domestic violence awareness.
Other events to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month include proclamations by the Oswego County Legislature, Fulton City Mayor Ronald Woodward and Oswego City Mayor William Barlow.
The Oswego City Police Department will have purple ribbon decals on their patrol vehicles to show their support in ending domestic violence.
Additionally, a number of local pizza shops will use special pizza box toppers to help raise awareness.
Finally, community members are invited to take part in National Wear Purple Day on October 19.
Wear something purple and post your pictures on social media using the hashtags #OswegoWearsPurple, #ShinetheLight, #WearPurpleNYS, and #PurpleThursday and help us flood social media with purple.
It takes a coordinated effort by all corners of the community – law enforcement, advocates, community groups, schools – to combat domestic violence.
On this 30th anniversary of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, let us once again pledge our unwavering support to those in need. Please join us in saying “No more” to domestic violence this October and every day.
If you or someone you know is a victim or survivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence or stalking, please call the Crisis Hotline at (315) 342-1600.
The hotline is available 24 hours a day and is free and confidential.
A private, non-profit agency, OCO touches the lives of approximately 20,000 people each year through more than 50 programs operating in 100 locations throughout Oswego County.
The agency, which is a United Way of Greater Oswego County member, employs nearly 600 people and has more than 1,200 highly valued volunteers.
For more information, visit www.oco.org
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