Spreading the Word on Domestic Violence

Pattie Marshall was out on Cole Street by 10:30 a.m. Monday checking the window displays of businesses downtown to see which ones had strung up the signature purple lights in a show of support against domestic violence.

Patch is grateful to Marshall, a leader on the Enumclaw Domestic Violence Task Force, for letting us tag along on her mission to turn Cole Street purple, noting businesses like , were one of the first to get their lights up and also donated cookies during the this past Saturday.

Domestic violence has claimed the lives of 755 people in Washington state since 1997, according to literature provided by the Enumclaw DV Task Force. This effort to reach businesses has a dual purpose: to encourage them to show their support through their window displays but also to inform them of laws pertaining to domestic violence and employees -- that victims of domestic violence have the right to take time off work without being fired or demoted.

During the summer, teens from Enumclaw Youth and Family Services had already approached downtown businesses about either putting up the "Domestic violence has no place in our community!" sign and/or additionally, displaying purple lights in their window displays as part of the Purple Light Nights program.

And Marshall was making a second sweep. We hung out with her for just under an hour and noted that City Perk Home & Garden had a purple tree up on display, The Platinum Hanger's sign was up, and both lights and sign were up at Young's Enumclaw Flowers & Gifts.

It's still early in the month, so hopefully the street will get purpler as October progresses.

Private citizens can also take part in the display, Marshall said, by purchasing purple light bulbs that also double as cool lighting for Halloween.

If you're interested in taking part, you can purchase the lights at either the or .

Bulbs are $3 each or $5 for two. Two 17-inch strands of lights are $20. All proceeds go toward support domestic violence victims in the local community.

For more information about domestic violence resources, contact Marshall at 253-736-5278 or Kim Farnes at 253-208-2158.