ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The City of Orangeburg's Department of Public Safety will host several events in the community in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
On Oct. 25, the community is asked to participate in "painting the city purple." Officials encourage residents to wear purple in recognition of domestic violence victims.
Karen Sanders, the victim services coordinator at the Department of Public Safety, said victims are welcome at the department no matter their situation.
"We would like for our victims to know that we are here for them; we will help them," said Sanders. "There are resources and not only resources but just a listening ear. Sometimes, you might not be ready to leave. However, we are here to listen. We're here to share, and we're here to support."
Chief Charles Austin, the director of the Department of Public Safety, said the purple ribbons on public safety vehicles for the rest of October remind victims of hope.
"It also carries a message of hope," said Chief Austin. "Dealing with victims of domestic violence, a lot of times, we encounter people who have simply lost hope, and anything that we can do that shows at least a ray of hope, small as it may be, sometimes, that might be the one person whose life can be transformed."
The City of Orangeburg Department of Public Safety will host a Women's Empowerment Purple Table Talk on Friday, Oct. 27, at the Orangeburg Downtown Market Pavilion.