Partners for Peace celebrates Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Partners for Peace, the domestic violence resource center for Penobscot and Piscataquis counties, has several events and opportunities for the community to get involved.
Domestic violence is a pervasive issue in Maine, with roughly half of homicides being domestic violence related. Each October, Partners for Peace amplifies the voices of survivors and remembers those taken too soon.
On Thursday, Oct. 8, Partners for Peace will host an awareness walk and vigil in Lincoln at the gazebo, 29 Main St. Prior to the walk and vigil, from 12 to 5 p.m., Partners for Peace advocates will be providing information, coordinate children’s activities and display the organization’s Clothesline Project. The walk and candlelight vigil in honor of those affected by domestic violence, including those taken too soon, will begin at 5 p.m. Sign up for the walk & vigil is preferred, but not required. Sign up online. This is a free event. T-shirts available for a suggested $10 donation.
Wednesday, Oct. 14 is recognized nationally as HealthCares About Domestic Violence Day, sponsored by FUTURES Without Violence to promote healthy relationships, address the health impacts of abuse and connect people to domestic violence advocates. This is an opportunity for healthcare providers, mental health providers and allied organizations to educate their teams and patients. Partners for Peace will be at Millinocket Regional Hospital during the day and invites other healthcare organizations to be in touch to schedule outreach opportunities.
Oct. 14 is Wear Purple Day sponsored by the Bangor Daily News. Purple is the awareness color of domestic violence. The community is encouraged to coordinate with their friends, families and coworkers to wear purple and show support on social media.
On Sunday, Oct. 25 there will be Family Movie Day at the Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft. Showtime is at 3 p.m. for “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania”. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. This event is free, no ticket necessary. There will be free popcorn, face painting, door prizes and kid-friendly Halloween costumes are encouraged.
Other community events and fundraisers include an Oct. 11 reading and signing with author Amber Hathaway at Bangor Beer Company; a dining fundraiser at Angler’s in Newport on Oct. 13; outreach at Old Town IGA on Oct. 14; the University of Maine March Against Domestic Violence on Oct. 16; and a dining fundraiser at Moe’s on Oct. 22. In Bangor, Dream Charm Bar is donating proceeds from its $5 purple ribbon charms year-round, and the Hannaford at 773 Stillwater Ave. will donate $1 for each specially marked Community Bag purchased throughout October.
Community members can also support survivors by donating to Partners for Peace, hosting a fundraiser or donation drive, sharing Domestic Violence Awareness Month information on social media or exploring ways for their businesses to participate. Partners for Peace offers a suggested reading list for adults and young people who want to learn more about domestic violence and abuse.
Details about events and ways to get involved are available on the organization’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month page: https://www.partnersforpeaceme.org/prevention/domestic-violence-awareness-month/.
Any questions about Domestic Violence Awareness Month can be directed to partnersforpeaceme@partnersforpeaceme.org.
Partners for Peace is the domestic violence resource center serving anyone affected by domestic abuse and violence in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties since 1973. For more information, visit www.partnersforpeaceme.org. To speak with a trained advocate, please call our 24-hour helpline at 1-800-863-9909. All Partners for Peace services are free, trauma-informed and confidential.