Phoenix using light rail to raise awareness of domestic violence
Oct 12, 2015, 3:08 PM | Updated: 4:22 pm
PHOENIX — The city of Phoenix is painting the light rail purple.
The new design was unveiled Monday morning to promote domestic violence awareness as part of the city’s Paint Phoenix Purple campaign.
The city of Phoenix ranks sixth in the country in the number of calls to the domestic violence hotline. Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said the high number of calls could be caused by the increased awareness among residents.
“The increased number of calls may be as a result of the increased awareness of programs like the domestic violence hotline, like some of the domestic violence shelters that we’re so blessed to have here in the city of Phoenix,” he said.
But Stanton said domestic violence is still a huge issue.
“It affects everyone,” said Stanton. “There are victims all over this city and it affects all of us.”
Stanton said one in four women and one in seven men have been victims of severe physical domestic violence.
One of those victims is Memory Long Chase. After suffering multiple bloody experiences, she did not know where to go or who to turn to. She called the domestic violence hotline and was able to get the help she needed. She said the trained advocates greatly helped her get back on her feet.
“They gave me all the information and the resources that I needed in order to make those changes myself, and they never ever ever lost faith,” she said.
Long Chase now works for the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, saying she feels an obligation to share what she has learned. She has a message for those dealing with domestic violence”
“You’re not alone. It’s not your fault. You don’t deserve it. And we’re here.”
The light rail design features the city’s domestic violence awareness website and a national hotline number.
Help is available if you or someone you know is a victim with domestic violence. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
