Signature Program: Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention

Signature Program: Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention

Purple Pumpkin Project

The Princeton Junior Woman’s Club (IL) helped a local orchard with a project to raise funds for Freedom House, a domestic and sexual violence agency during October, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Club members and five teens painted pumpkins purple, which were sold to provide a monetary donation to the agency. The club also obtained permission from the city to provide a drive-thru pumpkin pick-up in the park. Members used Facebook and other social media to spread the word.

Purple Leash Project

The Rotunda West Woman’s Club (FL) partnered with their local Humane Society and their local domestic violence shelter to support the Purple Leash Program, the special project of GFWC Southern Region President Cynthia Kay Geis. Many survivors of abuse do not want to leave their home because of their pets. Since most shelters will not house a pet, an alternative home is needed to foster these animals. Members have volunteered to be foster parents. This project is sponsored by Purina.

Teen Dating Violence Prevention

The Al Brown Juniorettes (NC) focused on Break the Cycle, a website for teen dating violence prevention, in February for Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Members made posters and displayed them throughout their school. As a way to promote healthy teen relationships, they organized special emphasis days at school, including “Wear Orange,” to spread awareness; “It’s Time to Talk;” and “Thunder Clap for National Awareness.”

Older Adult Abuse Awareness

Women’s Club of Cross Lanes (WV) members partnered with Girl Scouts of the USA to provide items to the Shanklin Center, which supports survivors of older adult abuse in Charleston, WV. This effort was to encourage local youth to be involved in community service and to understand older adult abuse and how to prevent it.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Sylvania Junior Woman’s Club (GA) members placed a purple ribbon display outside the front of the public library on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Pictures of the display were featured on their club’s Facebook page and on the state’s Facebook page.

Domestic Violence Awareness Signs

Marlborough Junior Woman’s Club (MA) members placed yard signs around town and created brochures filled with information on domestic violence and sexual assault awareness during Domestic Violence Awareness Week. The material gave suggestions about what signs to look for and where to get help if needed. Brochures were given to the local police department.

Laptops for Learners

Killingworth Women’s Organization (CT) members purchased five computer tablets with internet access for the domestic violence shelter to be used for school, job searching, and other activities. This was in response to the needs of many of the women and children who had to leave their homes on short notice during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the club agreed to pay the cost of educational courses to help these women equip themselves for their new lives away from domestic violence.

Shoe Cards

The Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach (DE) distributed 500 “shoe cards” in July and August 2020 to six beauty salons with hotline numbers for women needing help related to domestic violence. Obtained from the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence at no cost, the cards are small enough to hide in a woman’s shoe.

Updated Security System

The San Diego Woman’s Club (California) has helped El Nido Shelter as one of their main service projects for years. The club sponsors a one-bedroom apartment in a safe and secure transitional housing complex. Twenty-seven members donated $30,000 to install a new state-of-the-art video security system in each of the 11 apartments, enabling staff to see who is requesting entry into the complex. The installation also included security screen doors.

Rest Area Bathroom Stickers

The Kalamazoo Area Woman’s Club (MI) adopted the Alamo Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) rest area on Southbound US131 to install bathroom stickers offering help for persons who are trafficked. The club partnered with MDOT to put stickers on the inside of the women’s bathroom stall doors at the rest area. Members posted and will maintain stickers that provide the National Human Trafficking Hotline.