National Wear Purple Day is on Thursday, Oct. 22. Wear purple to show your support for survivors of domestic/dating violence and bring awareness so intimate partner violence will end.

To show your support, post a picture of yourself wearing purple using #PurpleThursday and tag both @marjareemasoncenter and @FSHealthCenter.

Join the Student Health and Counseling Center in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month for October 2020.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence began hosting a “Day of Unity” in October of 1981 as a way to connect advocates who were working to end violence against women and children. Soon, it became a week devoted to a range of activities at local, state and national levels. In 1989, U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In addition, Purple Thursday is traditionally held on the fourth Thursday of October to encourage individuals to wear the color purple and use it as a conversation starter to talk about domestic violence and why ending it is so important. Purple was chosen as the color to represent domestic violence many decades ago, with origins from the National Women’s Party. Purple is viewed as a symbol of peace, courage and survival.

Training such as Survivor Advocacy Explored and STEP UP bystander intervention are available by request for your class, office or department. Click here to request a presentation or contact Mindy Kates at 559.278.6796 or survivoradvocate@csufresno.edu. Additional information on campus resources and options can be found at fresnostate.edu/titleix.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic/dating violence, contact the Fresno County local hotline, the Marjaree Mason Center at 559.233.4357 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799. 7233. Staff, faculty and students can also contact the Campus Confidential Survivor Advocate, Mindy Kates M.S.W., at 559.278.6896 or survivoradvocate@csufresno.edu.