The Silent Epidemic
20403 N Lake Pleasant Rd.
Suite 117-492
Peoria, AZ 85382
admin@purpleribboncouncil.org
admin@purpleribboncouncil.org
The Purple Ribbon Council to Cut Out Domestic Abuse is a non-profit organization based out of Phoenix, Arizona. It was founded by Donna Bartosm, a former teen dating abuse victim, in August of 2006 with the intention of preventing domestic abuse before it begins.
Unfortunately, domestic violence seems to be another one of those subjects that are so sensitive that it tends to be overlooked. Domestic violence is known as a silent epidemic for this exact reason. According to the Purple Ribbon Council’s homepage, more than 75% of women and 67% of teens that experience abuse in a relationship will never even report it. With that in mind, its hard to believe “more than one in three women will be abused at some point in their lives, and more than 15 million children in the United States witness this abuse every year (Anonymous, 14). Our goal is to aid The Purple Ribbon Council simply by raising awareness, and encouraging everyone, whether you think you are directly related with domestic violence or not, to do their part in ending this epidemic. “Battery is the single most common cause of injuries to women, surpassing car accidents and muggings behind” (Rousseau, 23). This means women are being intentionally hurt by those who love them, more so than strangers and freak accidents. That is a baffling fact, however, shouldn’t that mean it is more preventable? The Purple Ribbon Council is unique in that aspect; they focus on prevention, rather than rehabilitating. Most of their efforts are geared towards education, and getting the facts straight about domestic abuse. However, there is a link on the homepage, which can re-direct anyone who is interested in getting involved with their volunteer events. The persistence on education, and these events are what make The Purple Ribbon Council to Cut Out Domestic Abuse an activist organization. They are forcefully trying to end an epidemic, which unfortunately people do not even realize is going on all around them. In fact, this violence is so prevalent, it has made an obvious contribution to the United States healthcare system. “A 2003 CDC report showed health-related costs of intimate partner violence against women exceeds $5.8 billion each year in the United States” (Rousseau, 23). Once again, these numbers seem so outstanding because we are not exposed to them enough. Hopefully, by informing students, not only about the epidemic but also about this organization itself, we can raise awareness and concern for these victims.
Unfortunately, domestic violence seems to be another one of those subjects that are so sensitive that it tends to be overlooked. Domestic violence is known as a silent epidemic for this exact reason. According to the Purple Ribbon Council’s homepage, more than 75% of women and 67% of teens that experience abuse in a relationship will never even report it. With that in mind, its hard to believe “more than one in three women will be abused at some point in their lives, and more than 15 million children in the United States witness this abuse every year (Anonymous, 14). Our goal is to aid The Purple Ribbon Council simply by raising awareness, and encouraging everyone, whether you think you are directly related with domestic violence or not, to do their part in ending this epidemic. “Battery is the single most common cause of injuries to women, surpassing car accidents and muggings behind” (Rousseau, 23). This means women are being intentionally hurt by those who love them, more so than strangers and freak accidents. That is a baffling fact, however, shouldn’t that mean it is more preventable? The Purple Ribbon Council is unique in that aspect; they focus on prevention, rather than rehabilitating. Most of their efforts are geared towards education, and getting the facts straight about domestic abuse. However, there is a link on the homepage, which can re-direct anyone who is interested in getting involved with their volunteer events. The persistence on education, and these events are what make The Purple Ribbon Council to Cut Out Domestic Abuse an activist organization. They are forcefully trying to end an epidemic, which unfortunately people do not even realize is going on all around them. In fact, this violence is so prevalent, it has made an obvious contribution to the United States healthcare system. “A 2003 CDC report showed health-related costs of intimate partner violence against women exceeds $5.8 billion each year in the United States” (Rousseau, 23). Once again, these numbers seem so outstanding because we are not exposed to them enough. Hopefully, by informing students, not only about the epidemic but also about this organization itself, we can raise awareness and concern for these victims.
Contact Information:
20403 N Lake Pleasant Rd.
Suite 117-492
Peoria, AZ 85382
E-mail: admin@purpleribboncouncil.org
How to get involved:
Donate
Volunteer at an event
Raise awareness on domestic violence
Wear a purple ribbon to show support
Sources:
Anonymous. "Preventing Domestic Violence." Peacework (Cambridge, Mass.) 36.398 (2009): 14. Web. 7 Nov 2010. <http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/pqdlink?Ver=1&Exp=11-08-2015&FMT=7&DID=1666348881&RQT=309>.
Rousseau, Millie Acebal. "Facing Off DOMESTIC VIOLENCE." Hispanic (Washington, D.C.) 21.11 (2008): 22-23. Web. 8 Nov 2010. <http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy1.lib.asu. edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&hid=17&sid=310c09ba-7924-4a40-8992-b9eeefe856e6%40sessionmgr112>.
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