Purple lights glowed in Victoria Park, marking the launch of the annual Shine The Light campaign. Despite the rain, Londoners gathered in support of the campaign and its mission to end men’s violence against women.
Shine The Light raises awareness about this global issue by painting the city purple. Purple is a symbol of courage, survival and honour, and has come to symbolize the fight to end woman abuse.
Standing in solidarity, supporters wore purple to the campaign’s kick-off. This years campaign honoree, Shainee Chalk spoke words of wisdom and encouragement before the traditional lighting of the ‘Tree of Hope’.
The Hope Tree is lit at Victoria Park #ShineTheLight pic.twitter.com/XPjsRZDZUt
— Sydney Bordignon XFM News (@BordignonSydney) November 1, 2018
Coordinator of Shine The Light, Megan Walker says that the month long campaign has taken the world by storm since its start in 2010.
“We started Shine The Light as a small grassroots campaign and it has now spread its way across Canada, Sweden and Australia. It really is an incredible campaign that makes a difference in women’s lives.”
Walker says that because of the awareness this campaign brings to women abuse, the London Abused Women’s Center sees calls for help skyrocket during this month.
“Our service demands continue to increase, particularly during the month of November. The London Abused Women’s Centre provides immediate access to services. Women who are in need of non-residential services, counselling, advocacy, and support can call our helpline or walk-in the door and be seen immediately,” says Walker.
The London Abused Women’s Centre also has a close partnership with Anova — who has a women’s shelter in the city. Walker says that women who require emergency safe housing can access this at any time.
For those who are unaware of what the colour purple represents, Walker describes it as a symbol of hope. She says that it recognizes the battle that many women fight on a daily basis and that it is much like Breast Cancer’s pink ribbon.
“Moving forward, this years campaign will raise awareness through events like Fanshawe College’s Chalk Walk and Wear Purple Day. The Chalk Walk will include pictures and statistics displayed on campus sidewalks that shine the light on the realities of violence against women.”
The campaign will ‘Shine The Light’ on abuse against women from November 1-30, though the London Abused Women’s Centre hopes its message will carry on and leave a lasting impression beyond the campaign period.
WATCH: The ‘Tree of Hope” signals Shine The Light’s kick-off
