In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Family & Children's Service of Niagara is coordinating the fifth annual Domestic Violence Ribbon Walk on Tuesday, Oct. 2, starting at 4:30 p.m. The walk will begin at the corner of Main and Third streets in Niagara Falls. Following brief remarks, the participants will take a collective stand against DV as they walk down Third Street tying purple ribbons on the trees between Main and Niagara streets.
Participants are asked to wear purple for the Ribbon Walk.
Immediately following the Ribbon Walk the public is invited to experience a survivor art exhibit at Wine on Third, 501 Third St., Niagara Falls. The theme of the art exhibit this year is "Trees of Energy" and "Power Animals." The artwork was created by adults and children of Passage House Domestic Violence Services. The exhibit will be on display through Oct. 21. The event is free and open to the public.
Awareness is the theme of such an event. One in four women are victims of domestic violence. In 2017, Passage House Domestic Violence Services answered more than 600 calls on the 24/7 domestic violence hotline (716-299-0909); provided shelter to 126 survivors and children; and provided counseling, support and advocacy services to 178 survivors.
The agency said awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence educates the community about the services available and brings people hope. It reported 99 percent of survivors served in Passage report they now feel more hopeful about the future.
Founded in 1895, Family & Children's Service of Niagara, a private, nonprofit agency, has been providing the residents of Niagara County with a wide range of community social work services for 122 years. The agency has been providing domestic violence services in the Niagara community for more than 30 years; and, in 1989, Family & Children's Service opened Passage House, the first and only fully staffed domestic violence shelter for survivors of domestic violence and their children in Niagara Falls.
