Paint Phoenix Purple Campaign Brings Awareness to Prevent Domestic Violence

Tamyra Spendley, special projects coordinator at the city of Phoenix, will be one of several employees passing out purple bracelets during the month of October. She says the Paint Phoenix Purple campaign can become a model for cities across the nation. Photo by Peter Haden/Cronkite News Online

(Phoenix, Ariz.)  —  The city of Phoenix’s domestic violence awareness campaign, “Paint Phoenix Purple,” has made significant strides since beginning in 2013 by educating and providing resources to thousands of people.

The campaign was started by the city of Phoenix in part due to the impact domestic violence calls have on city employees such as police officers, firefighters and staff from the Phoenix Family Advocacy Center.  The main goal of “Paint Phoenix Purple” continues to be that by educating people, domestic violence can be reduced and eventually eliminated in the community.  

In 2013 the city created a Roadmap to Excellence plan to make Phoenix a national leader in ending domestic violence and serving its victims. Thus far, hundreds of victims have been helped, hundreds of others have been made aware of signs of abuse and resources available, other cities in Arizona have joined the campaign in addition to Maricopa County and the state of Arizona.  Some of Phoenix’s accomplishments are:

• Creation of a centralized intake system — As a result, last fiscal year 11,777 calls were received with 1,420 screened for emergency shelter.  Additionally 332 people were placed in permanent housing by a city housing specialist.

• Created a Domestic Violence Resource Manual for Employers to ensure that any employer in the nation has information about domestic violence and appropriate workplace response.

• Participated in several youth town halls about domestic violence prevention resulting in the education of more than 375 students.

• Engaged more than 12,000 students through resource fairs and art and dance contests.

• Provided “In Their Shoes” training to more than 1,600 students in the Phoenix Union High School District.  This exercise allows participants to experience issues victims face.

• Influenced other municipalities and governments, including Maricopa County to “Color the County Purple” and the state of Arizona to “Light Arizona Purple.” 

Beginning Oct. 1 and throughout the month, the city of Phoenix will “Paint Phoenix Purple” in observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Displaying purple throughout the community sends a strong message that there is no place for domestic violence in the workplace, homes, neighborhoods or schools. 

Departments and employees will help raise awareness about the need to end domestic violence.  Some examples include:

• Turning the lights purple at the top of Phoenix City Hall starting Oct. 1

• Installing purple lights on Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights

• Making the lighting crystals purple on Third Street between Washington and Monroe streets at the Convention Center

• Installing “Paint Phoenix Purple” posters on city of Phoenix garbage trucks

• Wearing purple throughout the month of October

“These creative and colorful displays are a reminder to the community that one in four women and one in seven men has been a victim of domestic violence. It impacts all of us,” said Mayor Greg Stanton. “Painting Phoenix Purple also demonstrates our commitment to becoming a national leader in preventing and ending domestic violence.”

Residents also can show their support for the third annual campaign with displays of purple.  Homeowners can install a purple light bulb on their porch; join employees and wear purple throughout the month, especially on Oct. 15, which has been designated as the statewide day to raise awareness; use the hashtag #AZWearPurpleDay on social media; and tie a purple ribbon on car antennas, etc.  Together, the community can raise awareness about domestic violence and its impact on families.

“The city will continue to be a national leader in domestic violence prevention, and we’re counting on dedication from the entire community to make a difference,” said Councilwoman Laura Pastor, chairwoman of the Parks, Arts, Transparency and Education Subcommittee, which oversees the city’s efforts to combat domestic violence. “I encourage everyone in the city to Paint Phoenix Purple in October to show our commitment.”

For more information about the Paint Phoenix Purple campaign, visit paintphoenixpurple.org.  If you or someone you know is in need of victim services, call the city’s Family Advocacy Center at 602-534-2120 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

The success of this plan is based strongly on community support.  The city partners with the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute and community leaders to implement the Roadmap to Excellence.