First Lady Mary Pat Christie Joins Go Purple Thursday Initiative - 10/16/15
Drumthwacket to Shine a Light on Domestic Violence Awareness on October 22
Trenton, NJ – Honoring the lives of victims of domestic abuse, First Lady Mary Pat Christie today announced that Drumthwacket, the Governor’s Official Residence in Princeton, will be illuminated in purple on Thursday evening, October 22 to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Go Purple Thursday initiative is an opportunity to raise awareness, support survivors and take a stand against domestic violence by wearing or displaying the color purple.
“The prevalence of domestic violence can be found in every community – no matter the age, race, religion or economic status of the victim,” said First Lady Mary Pat Christie. “While its impact can last a lifetime, it is imperative that we educate and empower victims by showing there is life beyond domestic abuse. In New Jersey, we have many unsung organizations that are providing safety, support and assistance to abuse victims and their families. I want to thank these groups for helping victims heal and giving them hope for the future.”
Mrs. Christie has honored several organizations through the New Jersey Heroes Foundation for their work on behalf of domestic abuse victims including: Jane Hanson founder of Partners for Women and Justice in Montclair, a non-profit that provides legal assistance and guidance to women in Essex, Morris and Union counties as well as domestic abuse survivor Asia D. Smith, founder and CEO of Purple R.E.I.G.N, a non-profit advocacy agency specializing in comprehensive programs and services at the Bessie Mae Women’s Health Center in East Orange for those impacted by physical and sexual assault.
To recognize the continued work of domestic violence advocates in New Jersey, Mrs. Christie will be nominating three individuals who are making a difference in the lives of domestic abuse survivors for October’s New Jersey Heroes online poll. They are: Cathy Stephens, Director of Client Services of Jersey Battered Women’s Services in Morristown; Sandra Ramos, founder and executive director of Strengthen our Sisters in Wanaque; and Mary Houtsma, founding director of the Essex County Family Justice Center in Newark.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), estimates that every 9 seconds in the United States, a woman is assaulted or beaten.
In New Jersey, there were 64,556 domestic violence offenses reported by the police in 2013, a 1 percent decrease compared to the 65,060 reported in 2012, according to a 2013 report on domestic violence prepared by the New Jersey State Police. Wives were the victims in 16 percent (10,158) and ex-wives were the victims in 3 percent (2,167) of the reported domestic violence offenses in 2013. Overall, females were victims in 75 percent (48,305) of all domestic violence offenses. Additionally, children were involved or present during 30 percent of all domestic violence offenses occurring in 2013.
The most frequent day of domestic violence occurrences was Sunday (11,235), with the most frequent hours of domestic violence incidents occurring between 8:00 p.m. and midnight, when 25 percent (16,340) of the offenses were reported.
While domestic violence is considered to be a chronically under-reported crime, there are tools that people in New Jersey can use to take action.
New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families has in place an array of programs that provides shelter, a phone hotline, and emergency response. Information and referral, counseling, support groups, children’s advocacy services, community education, as well as financial, legal, housing, and general advocacy are also available. The Statewide Domestic Hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week to serve domestic violence victims and provides information about domestic violence. The Statewide Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-572-SAFE (7233).
