Washington County marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month with ribbons, proclamation

WASHINGTON — With the beginning of October, purple ribbons have appeared on squad cars and police uniforms in Washington. This is just one quiet, but unmistakable symbol of solidarity with survivors of domestic violence shown locally. The gestures mark the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time when local leaders, advocates, and law enforcement renew their commitment to ending abuse and supporting survivors.

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In preparation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Washington Mayor Millie Youngquist read a proclamation designating October as such in Washington.

Reading from the proclamation, Youngquist said, “DVIP/RVAP has worked to end violence and abuse in intimate relationships for more than 45 years through the collaborative partnerships of advocates, volunteers, local municipalities, criminal justice, health and human services, and private citizens.”

The proclamation reaffirmed the city’s partnership with the Domestic Violence Intervention Program and the Rape Victim Advocacy Program, which serve Washington County and surrounding communities.

Additional city and county departments acknowledged the designation, including the Washington County Attorney’s Office on Oct. 1 as a public statement urged residents to “stand with survivors and strengthen community safety.”

That is exactly what the Washington Police Department chooses to do. Not only does the department support survivors of domestic violence daily as officers respond to calls, but every October purple ribbons begin to pop up on squad cars and officer uniforms to more readily show that support.

Chief of Police Jim Lester said the practice has been a tradition for years, with the Domestic Violence Intervention Program providing the ribbons long ago.

“All of our marked units have at least one on the backside, by the rear door,” he said. “It’s just a reminder that, unfortunately, we do have victims or survivors of domestic violence in our community. We stand with victims of crime, and we’re here to offer whatever support and resources we can.”

Lester emphasized that his department’s work extends beyond responding to calls.

“We work closely with DVIP and RVAP [Rape Victim Advocacy Program] and provide victims with access to resources that they need to help navigate through the system,” he said. “We try to be trauma informed and very victim centered in our responses to domestic and sexual assault.”

Lester said his officers are trained to provide victims’ rights information and to connect survivors directly with local advocates such as Marnie, Washington’s DVIP advocate.

“We try to go a step above by also reaching out to the advocate and making that contact initially,” he said. “We want to make sure our victims are safe, that they stay safe, and that they have that shoulder to lean on to navigate the system, which can be very difficult.”

Purple will likely pop up more in Washington as Purple Thursday is observed on Oct. 23. According to DVIP, this is when individuals are encouraged to wear purple to show their support for survivors.

The day has become a unifying symbol for advocates nationwide, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, which notes that purple “is the color of courage, survival, honor, and dedication to ending violence.” DVIP echoed that sentiment, encouraging Iowans to participate and post on social media to raise awareness.

In Washington County last year, DVIP and RVAP provided services to 111 victims of domestic violence and an additional nine individuals through sexual assault support, according to data shared by the organizations earlier this month. Those numbers, while sobering, represent both the scope of need and the availability of help in southeast Iowa.

Statewide, the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that more than 325 people were killed in domestic violence incidents between 2015 and 2020. Half those involved firearms. Advocates say those figures illustrate the urgency of prevention, intervention, and community education.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month was first recognized nationally in 1989, out of advocacy movements that sought to expose the prevalence of intimate partner violence and to provide support for survivors. Today, organizations such as DVIP/RVAP, the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline continue that work by promoting education, funding shelters, and coordinating resources for survivors and their families. In Iowa, DVIP/RVAP provides 24-hour hotlines, emergency shelter, counseling, and legal advocacy across eight counties, including Washington.

Throughout October, local agencies and volunteers are organizing events to raise awareness and collect donations. One initiative, “Shop for Safety,” invites residents to purchase household items and personal care products at Hy-Vee or Fareway for donation to local shelters. DVIP/RVAP representatives say community involvement is vital.

“Positive support from loved ones makes a large difference in survivors’ safety, healing, and sense of justice,” the organization said in a recent statement.

Chief Lester said that kind of awareness helps officers do their jobs more effectively.

“A lot of times, people don’t want to talk about what happens in their home, and it takes a lot for those victims to come forward,” he said. “When they finally need help, we want them to know they’ll be met with compassion and understanding. This may not be the first time, but we’re here now, and we’re going to do what we can to help the victim and the survivors and their families feel safe.”

For local leaders, the visible display of purple ribbons and public proclamations are only part of a broader effort to address domestic violence. Chief Lester emphasized that the issue requires community collaboration and sustained attention, citing the decades of work by DVIP/RVAP and its partners to end violence and abuse in intimate relationships.

The proclamation and the county’s recognition serve as reminders that awareness must translate into ongoing support for prevention, education, and survivor services. As purple ribbons appear across Washington County this month, they carry a shared message of commitment: that every survivor deserves safety, dignity, and hope, and that Washington County stands united against domestic violence.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com