In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Purple For Peace Campaign will be happening throughout our community during the month of October.
The Purple for Peace Campaign in memory of Amanda Millsaps has been organized by her mother, Rita Millsaps, to raise public awareness regarding the dangers faced by domestic violence victims and garner support and community commitment to ending the violence.
Amanda Millsaps was murdered last January by her estranged husband. A beautiful young woman, Amanda had graduated with her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Mississippi State University. Rita Millsaps is conducting the Purple Campaign as a tribute to her daughter and in an effort to save lives and prevent such a reoccurrence of violence in our community.
The purple ribbons displayed throughout the city and across the country during October have become one of the most widely recognized symbols of the battered women’s movement. Throughout America, families and friends of victims have adopted the purple ribbon to remember and honor loved ones, like Amanda, who have lost their lives at the hands of someone they once loved and trusted. Shelters and victims advocacy organizations use the purple ribbon to raise awareness about the crime of domestic violence in their communities.
According to the FBI, domestic violence is a pattern of behavior in which one intimate partner uses physical violence, coercion, threats, intimidation, isolation and emotional, sexual or economic abuse to control the other partner in a relationship. Stalking or other harassing behavior is often an integral part of domestic violence.
Businesses, agencies and individuals are invited to demonstrate their support for domestic violence victims by “going purple” through the use of ribbons, clothing, lights or other means to convey the message that domestic violence is unacceptable in homes, schools, or workplaces throughout our community. When asked about the purple ribbons, supporters are encouraged to share important information concerning domestic violence, such as:
• More than 40 percent of all the people murdered in the city of Corinth over the last 20 years died as a result of domestic violence.
• One out of every four women in America have been beaten or sexually assaulted.
• Domestic violence costs our society over $4 billion each year in health care expenses.
• Domestic violence costs U.S. employers up to $13 billion every year.
• Victims of domestic violence have greater rates of unemployment, health problems, and welfare dependency.
Both the Corinth Police Department and the Alcorn County Sheriff’s Office will be showing their support for the Purple for Peace Campaign in memory of Amanda Millsaps through the display of purple ribbons on the patrol cars and uniforms of officers within each agency.
“We want everyone to understand the seriousness of the problem of domestic violence, the costs to our community, the impact it has on so many people, especially the victims,” said Chief of Police David Lancaster. Added Sheriff Charles Rinehart, “The Alcorn County Sheriff’s Office supports this effort to raise awareness about the crime of domestic violence.”
