World Trade Center Shines in Purple to Honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month

FINANCIAL DISTRICT, NY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the spire of One World Trade Center will shine in purple on Saturday night to honor survivors of domestic violence and increase awareness of the problem.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, so the light will shine purple on Oct. 1. Two buildings will shine purple in Albany as well.

“Bathed in the color that has come to symbolize domestic violence awareness, these landmarks serve as acknowledgment that we as New Yorkers will not be silent about this social pandemic,” Cuomo said in a statement. “The purple light beaming down from our state’s tallest buildings serve as symbolic recognition of the impact of domestic violence on thousands of New Yorkers, and is a reminder that our work to support victims and break the cycle of abuse remains critically necessary today.”

In 2015, there were about 54,000 cases of intimate partner and domestic violence in New York state and courts issued over 200,000 orders of protection, according to the governor's press release.

Photo Credit: Patch