Oct 2, 2009 3 min read

When Dr. Anette Denardo stood to speak on Thursday night, she was wearing black in a background of purple. She wore it as a symbol of mourning for the people who have lost their lives to domestic violence.

“I’m also wearing it for those still alive, but who have lost their sense of safety because of domestic violence, for those who have lost their health, for those who have lost their possessions, for those who have lost their self-confidence + for those who have lost their very dignity,” she said.

Her remarks came during the annual Stop the Violence rally, sponsored by Domestic Violence Services of Fayette County, Inc. The rally, held at Uniontown Area High School auditorium, was to commemorate October as domestic violence awareness month.

“People become victims of power and control every day,” said Denardo, a former board member at DVS.

She urged people to speak up for people who are in danger.

“Tell them there is help,” she said.

Jacquie Albert, director of Domestic Violence Services., encouraged those present to take, and wear, a purple ribbon during the month. While the origin of the purple ribbon isn’t clear, Albert said that it could symbolize courage, survival, honor and dedication to end domestic violence.

But it has another significance, she said.

“Purple is also the color of the bruises people have suffered defending themselves against batterers,” she said. “Please stand up for those who don’t have the ability to defend and protect themselves.”

During the vigil, Jennifer Soisson of DVS read the names of dozens of Fayette County residents who have lost their lives to domestic violence while audience members, some of them family members, brought flowers to the stage.

Gina D’Auria of Fayette County Children and Youth Services (CYS) said she sees daily how growing up in a violent household impacts children.

They can be directly harmed, but also carry around indirect injuries, she said. Those children can grow up believing they did something to cause the abuse, or become abusers or victims themselves, she said.

“They want to have a home they can laugh in, and have a life in,” she said.

“Our kids deserve to be safe. They should be safe. And we as a community have an obligation to keep them safe,” she said.

D’Auria urged anyone who knows someone in a violent situation to make a referral to Domestic Violence Services, and to consider the children involved and call CYS.

“Take a stand. Help protect our community from the violence that has been prevalent,” she said.