Mayo asked to Go Purple to raise awareness of domestic violence

MAYO Women’s Support Services, in association with Safe Ireland, An Garda Síochána and the Family Resource Centre in Mayo, are calling on members of the public to Go Purple on Friday, April 29, to raise awareness of domestic violence and to raise funds for their service.

Women and men of all ages are called on to show their solidarity for women experiencing and exiting domestic abuse by embracing the colour purple for one day.

Explaining the background to the campaign, Josephine McGourty, manager, said the event was started last year as a local event in Co. Meath by Stacey Looby, a member of An Garda Síochána, to consolidate the community partnership between the gardaí and local domestic violence service and raise funds within the community. This year, with the support of Justice Minister Helen McEntee and the support of Safe Ireland, the campaign is being rolled out across the country.

"The colour purple represents love, strength, dignity and independence, all of which embrace the characteristics of a caring community which resists violence against women and girls," she explained.

People at home, school, college and the workplace are encouraged to get involved in the campaign on April 29 by wearing, cooking, growing, eating or creating something purple, and sharing their image on social media platforms using the hashtag #GoPurple.