Shine A Light Tonight For Domestic Violence Survivors In Maine

As domestic violence continues to affect both women and men, you can show your support for the survivors by lighting up your property tonight.

October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a period of time to remember the victims and to show support to those who have been on the abusing end of it.

Domestic violence makes up 21% of all violent crime in America according to the U.S. Department of Justice and while it affects both women and men, women are the victims of it 76% of the time.

The Next Step Domestic Violence Project, an organization that assists those affected in both Washington and Hancock Counties ask that you light up your property tonight, Friday, October 16th, from 4:45 on to show support for the survivors.  Purple is the color that represents domestic violence,  but any light will do.

Susan Jonason of the Project tells the Ellsworth American, "Domestic violence can’t exist in the light and so turning on all lights at 4:45 pm is a symbolic way of showing that we want domestic violence to end, now. We want all survivors to see that they are not alone, that our communities care."

So whether you turn the lights on at 4:45 tonight or wear a piece of purple colored clothing today, both seem like pretty simple things to do to support a fellow human being who has experienced something like domestic violence, either physically or mentally.

Shine on everyone.