The inaugural Hampton University Title IX Office awareness campaign, Purple With A Purpose Day kicked off on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 to raise awareness for the annual observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

 

Sponsored by the Title IX Office, and in partnership with the Student Counseling Center, Purple With A Purpose was created to honor the victims and survivors of domestic violence. Everyone on campus was asked to wear purple and take pictures and selfies to post on social media using the hashtag #HUPurpleWithAPurpose. Together, the Title IX Office and the Student Counseling Center sponsored an informational table in the Student Center from 12 to 2pm and provided stationery for students to write letters of encouragement to survivors. The letters were collected by representatives from the Transitions Family Violence Services located in the City of Hampton for distribution to clients in their care.

 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) calls domestic violence “a serious public health problem” and this epidemic impacts thousands of lives every year. Here are some of the statistics:

 

• More than 30% of Virginia’s homicides are domestic violence related (40% after a breakup)

• About 56% of domestic violence homicides involve firearms,

• More than 20% of domestic violence homicides involve a homicide-suicide,

• Women make up 51% of Virginia’s population but account for 63% of the people killed by firearms in intimate partner-related homicides.

 

Purple With A Purpose is part of the Keep S.A.F.E. educational and awareness platform out of the Title IX Office (Keep S.A.F.E. stands for Keep Sexual Assault & Abuse From Everyone). Purple with a Purpose was developed to raise awareness for those impacted by the epidemic of domestic violence.