October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and New Hope for Women is encouraging community members to take action and show their support for survivors through a variety of campaigns and events that the agency has organized throughout the month of October.

Healing Through Art Gallery Display - Healing Through Art is a special support group that New hope for Women facilitates for survivors of domestic violence, and New Hope for Women has partnered with the Patten Free Library in Bath and the Waldoboro Public Library to have several pieces of artwork created by members from the Healing Through Art support group on display as part of the agency’s annual survivor art exhibit. Locations: Patten Free Library, 33 Summer St., Bath – Oct. 16-20; Waldoboro Public Library, 958 Main St., Waldoboro – Oct. 1-31.

“In Her Shoes” - An interactive educational experience that allows participants to connect to the day-to-day reality for women experiencing domestic violence, helping participants to deepen their empathy, and hopefully encouraging them to take action. Community members are welcome to come take part in this powerful event at the Patten Free Library in Bath on October 16 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Glow Purple Campaign - Glow Purple is an awareness campaign that consists of displaying the color purple during the month of October as a gesture of support to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking. The campaign began in 2010, when New Hope for Women partnered with several businesses on Main Street in Rockland; it has since grown to include many businesses in Belfast, Camden, Waldoboro, Damariscotta, Wiscasset, Bath, and Boothbay Harbor where New Hope for Women distributed hundreds of strings of purple lights and posters to businesses.

This collective action by so many individual agencies and businesses is a power message to send to a victim of domestic violence who may have been told by a controlling partner that nobody would believe them. Instead, businesses are banding together to show that we are a community that sees them and believes them – and that domestic violence is not and will not be tolerated. For a full list of participating businesses and agencies, please go to www.newhopeforwomen.org

Purple Ribbon Tattoo Fundraiser - New Hope for Women has partnered with Sea Side Studios (97 Commercial St.) in Bath to provide patrons with the opportunity to choose from a variety of purple ribbon tattoo design options at a reduced rate for the entire month of October. In addition, on October 11, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sea Side Tattoos will donate 100 percent of revenue generated from these tattoos to New Hope for Women. Please call 207-442-8239 to book an appointment.

Purple Hair Streak Campaign - New Hope with Women has partnered with several hair salons who are offering patrons with the opportunity to have a purple streak dyed in their hair as a way to take action and show support for survivors of domestic violence. If people are interested in having this done they should contact the following participating salons to inquire about price and set up an appointment: Shear Artistry, 5 Townsend Ave., Boothbay Harbor: 633-3606; Aura Hair Design, 5 Oak St., Boothbay Harbor: 633-7000; Turning Heads Salon, 11 Elm St. Bath: 207-442-8889; and The Best Little Hair House and The Look in Waldoboro.

For more information about the various campaigns or events scheduled for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, or to learn more about the services New Hope for Women provides, please call 207-594-2128 or go to www.newhopeforwomen.org.

New Hope for Women is the domestic violence resource center serving Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, and Waldo Counties.

If you would like more information about this topic, or have any questions, please contact Kelly O’Connor at 207-594-2128, or koconnor@newhopeforwomen.org.