Baylor University 'Goes Purple' in Support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

WACO, Texas (Oct. 20, 2020) — In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), the lights on Baylor University’s Pat Neff Hall tower, Rosenbalm Fountain and McLane Stadium, along with the I-35 bridges, will “Go Purple” at dusk on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Purple represents DVAM as a symbol of peace, dignity, survival, honor and dedication to ending domestic violence.

The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) found that U.S. domestic violence shelters and programs served more than 72,000 victims and answered 20,352 crisis hotline calls in one day. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) reports that one in three women and one in four men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. The NCADV also reports that college-age women between the ages of 18-24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner.

Baylor joins national efforts to advocate against domestic violence, mourn the loss of those whose lives were taken by domestic violence and celebrate the progress the movement has made and connect each other with a sense of unity to end domestic violence.

Through the Baylor Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office, students can report sexual and interpersonal misconduct related incidents and receive the resources they need to navigate difficult life experiences.

Contact the Equity, Civil Rights and Title IX Office for Title IX concerns, violations or resources:

• Phone: 254-710-8454
• Email: titleix_coordinator@baylor.edu
• Online reporting: baylor.edu/titleix
• Anonymous reporting: baylor.edu/ethicspoint

Additional resources, such as confidential campus services, can be found on the Title IX website. 

DVAM evolved from the Day of Unity conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and held in October 1981. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children.

In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marked the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline. In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Since then, such legislation has passed every year with National Coalition Against Domestic Violence providing key leadership in this effort. Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224.

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 19,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.