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[Event listing courtesy of the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable]
This is a profoundly distressing time both for people who are being mistreated by their intimate partner and for the local programs that are supporting them. In response to anticipated major reductions in federal dollars, the current Massachusetts state budget reflects a $7 million cut from domestic and sexual violence programs across the Commonwealth. Additional reductions in supports are looming as Congress makes critical decisions about this year’s federal budget.
Adding to that already difficult reality, anticipated reductions at the federal level in the country’s safety net programs AND the ripple effects of ICE’s activity throughout Greater Boston are greatly increasing the anxiety of many of our already vulnerable neighbors who are navigating life with an intimate partner – or ex partner — that mistreats them.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time for our community to come together and stand in solidarity with survivors and their families. Each October, the Sudbury-Wayland- Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable partners with First Parish in Wayland and the Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Fund to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We do this by illuminating public religious, and other significant buildings in Sudbury and Wayland with purple lights. We invite additional faith communities, businesses, and community organizations to illuminate their buildings as well. Inexpensive lights are now available from Amazon, and further details are available by contacting Paul at [email protected].
The color purple embodies peace, courage, survival, honor, and a steadfast dedication to ending the cycle of abuse. By illuminating your home with a purple light, you send a powerful message of support and hope to those affected by domestic violence. It’s a simple yet profound way to show you care.
Once again, the Roundtable cordially invites community members to shine purple lights in their neighborhoods by adding purple lights to indoor lamps, porches, or outside house lights. Invite your friends and neighbors to join you and shine a light in the darkness. Won’t you join our efforts! Together, we can create a sea of purple lights that symbolizes our community’s commitment to fostering safety and healing.
For your convenience, purple light bulbs will be available at Ace Hardware, 70 Andrew Ave., Wayland and Aubuchon Hardware, 505 Boston Post Road (Shaw’s Plaza, Sudbury. The bulbs fit regular sockets. Thank you to Ace Hardware in Wayland and Aubuchon Hardware in Sudbury for stocking the purple light bulbs.
The traumas of domestic violence are harmful and long lasting, and the Roundtable continues to seek community support in building awareness of the signs and causes of relationship violence and sources of possible support and safety. We continue to work toward the creation of a more caring and equitable society that does not tolerate violence or any person’s domination of another, be it in relation to gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, geographic region, or economic status. If you are concerned you or someone in your life might be experiencing relationship abuse, local support can be found on the Roundtable website at https://www.domesticviolenceroundtable.org/counseling. If you are interested in volunteering, please email the Roundtable at [email protected]
