Campaign Aims To Raise Awareness For Domestic Violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and one group is raising awareness for the cause in a creative way. Marsy's Law advocates are encouraging people to light their porches purple throughout the month, as purple is the designated color for the cause.

According to its website, Marsy's Law was named for Marsy Nicholas, a California college student who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend in 1983. A week after her funeral, Marsy's family were confronted by her accused murderer at a grocery store, unaware that he had been released from jail. Her brother ended up forming Marsy's Law in 2009, aiming to give crime victims and their families a voice, according to FOX 17.

"We know that the COVID-19 pandemic has only further isolated people experiencing violence at home," said Marianne Dunavant, Marsy's Law for Tennessee Victim Outreach director. "This is a critical time to raise awareness and educate. We hope shining a purple light on porches and businesses across the state will be a conversation starter and allow people to share the warning signs or open up about abuse they are experiencing."

To participate, replace your porch light with a purple light. Marsy's Law for Tennessee encourages people to share photos of their purple-lit porches using the hashtags #MarsysLawforTN and #LightYourPorchPurple.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation flagged over 73,000 offenses as domestic related in 2018. Warning signs include: a partner putting them down in front of others, unexplained injuries or marks on their bodies, and unusual behaviors like no longer spending time with friends and family. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), or visit its website here.

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