Thirty-five life-sized purple silhouettes have been set up across the county as part of a month-long campaign against domestic violence. Photo by: Courtesy to the Ledger Dispatch

OK, so who are those purple people around town?

You may have seen their silhouettes pop up in Jackson, Sutter Creek, Ione and elsewhere. By the time October is over, staff and volunteers at Operation Care are hoping you never look at the color purple the same way again.

October is nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Operation Care staffer Tammi Crabtree came up with an ambitious public service campaign, one that placed 35 life-sized purple silhouettes of women, children and men at various locations throughout Amador County. Operation Care staff and volunteers have prepared the display, featuring statistics and stories contributed by advocates, clients and survivors who have dealt with domestic violence. This display was developed as a take-off of the national "Silent Witness Exhibits" to raise awareness about the impact of domestic violence in the community.

"In order to spark some interest, when the silhouettes were originally placed last week, the placard on the front of each one said 'Who am I?'" explained Crabtree, program manager for the community nonprofit. "This week, the statistics and stories of real people and real situations are revealed."

The stories serve to show that domestic violence does not discriminate and affects the entire community. One out of four adult women are victims of domestic violence at some point in their lifetimes; men can be victims as well. Domestic violence affects people of all ages, racial groups, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, educational backgrounds and income levels. "We wanted to make an impact," Crabtree continued, "and we also wanted people to know that if they are or have been the victim of domestic violence, they are not alone and help is available."

Each silhouette has a different, real life story or situation.

Look for all 35 purple people throughout the county and read their stories. Then, on Oct. 15, they will be gathered and placed together in a compelling display at Petkovich Park on the corner of Broadway and Water streets in Jackson. On the 24th, the exhibit will move to Sutter Amador Hospital for the health festival and throughout the weekend. The individual stories and statistics are also posted on Operation Care's web site at www.operationcare.org/purple.

In addition to the purple silhouettes, purple ribbons and posters declaring "Peace Begins at Home" will be distributed around Amador County by Operation Care. Baskets filled with purple ribbons to wear or to attach to your car antenna will also be placed at many local merchants and business offices. The purple ribbon is a unifying symbol of courage, survival, honor and dedication to ending domestic violence.

"We have promoted the purple ribbon campaign for the past few years," said Lynn Shield, executive director of Operation Care. "This year, we added the silent witness exhibit to build on the message that there is no place for domestic violence in the homes, neighborhoods, workplaces or schools of our citizens. We encourage everyone to show support for healthy family relationships by reading the messages on the silhouettes, and by wearing a purple ribbon or tying a purple ribbon to their car antenna during this month of awareness."

Shield explained that domestic violence is the use or threat of using physical, emotional, verbal or sexual abuse with the intent of controlling someone by instilling fear and using intimidation.

If you or someone you know needs help, dial 911 or call the 24-hour crisis line at 223-2600. Operation Care provides safe shelter for women, men and children, as well as counseling, support services, crisis intervention and education. For more information, call 223-2897.