Mayor Ray Jackson kicked off the Oct. 20 Town of Friday Harbor’s regular council meeting to spotlight domestic violence.

“Today I have the honor of proclaiming October as Domestic Awareness Month, and Oct. 20 as Wear Purple Day,” Jackson said.

The color purple has represented Domestic Violence Awareness for years. Purple, gold and white were the chosen colors of the United States National Women’s Party. The NWP were suffragists fighting for the right of women to vote. Adornments of the color purple started to appear, demonstrating a unified front amongst women seeking enfranchisement. According to Dave Dunaway, Executive Director of SAFE San Juans, a local non-profit dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault/abuse while working to reduce abuse, the color soon became directly associated with women’s strength. When the movement to end gender-based violence against women picked up steam in the 1970s, purple was the natural choice for a color to go with the cause. Nearly 50 years later purple still symbolizes support for survivors of domestic violence.

“Though the movement began in support of women, it is now clear that domestic violence survivors are statistically represented by individuals of all gender identities, and more efforts are being made to cast light on this reality,” Dunaway wrote in a Journal guest column, adding that “we know that domestic violence impacts people of every gender, race, age, religion, political affiliation, nationality, etc. The purple glow seen throughout the islands this past month … was to honor all survivors of domestic violence who endured, and who may still be experiencing mental, emotional, and physical setbacks as a result of their abuse.”

The Town of Friday Harbor proclamation reads as follows:

“WHEREAS, Domestic violence is a profound and pervasive social and public health crisis. The problems of domestic violence are not confined to any group or people, but effects individuals of all races, backgrounds, economic and education levels, family structures, ages and religions; and

“WHEREAS, October is recognized nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this year’s theme: “#Every1KnowsSome1” personifies our commitment to serving domestic violence survivors by acknowledging how common domestic violence is and understanding that domestic violence is more than physical abuse or aggression; and

“WHEREAS, This national campaign illustrates the importance of public awareness and participation. No one person or organization can eliminate domestic violence, but we can work together to educate our entire community about what can be done to prevent domestic violence, support victims/survivors and increase resources for the agencies providing services to those individuals; and

“WHEREAS, Friday Harbor is fortunate to have community resources available to help individuals experiencing domestic violence find a path to safety, including quality services and assistance by health care and other professionals, advocates such as SAFE San Juans (SAFE), response to emergency calls by local law enforcement and referrals for criminal justice proceedings;

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mayor Raymont C. Jackson, do hereby recognize the month of October 2022 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the Town of Friday Harbor and proclaim today, Thursday, Oct. 20th as Wear Purple Day. Let us show appropriate recognition and support for those who have experienced domestic violence and abuse.

Furthermore, I encourage all Friday Harbor residents to recognize the signs of abuse and coercion and work to make this Town a place where domestic violence does not exist.”

“We all need to work together on this issue,” Jackson said. “We will fight, and win.”