Hamilton County Stadiums Light Up Purple this Weekend

Pro Teams Partner with County to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

In solemn recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Great American Ballpark, Paul Brown Stadium, and TQL Stadium are all lighting up purple this weekend. Hamilton County Commissioners partnered with the pro sports teams that play in each stadium to support domestic violence survivors and shed light on the impacts that domestic violence has on generations of people regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, religion or nationality.

The color purple is the official color of the awareness campaign. At their September 30 meeting, Hamilton County Commissioners, led by Commission President Stephanie Summerow Dumas, distributed purple ribbons to individuals who are aiding in the fight to end domestic violence locally - including Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey, HCJFS Interim Director Amy Story and Women Helping Women’s President and CEO Kristin Shrimplin. Commissioners are encouraging employees and the public to wear the color purple or a purple ribbon during the month of October to show support to survivors and honor those who died at the hands of their abusers.

The three stadiums are lighting up October 8 through October 10 from 8pm to 11pm each night and messaging will be including on some scoreboards. On Saturday, TQL Stadium will revert to game-time lighting for the FC Cincinnati match. The Duke Energy Convention Center will have the Cincinnati Icon sign lit in purple during this timeframe, as well as the First Financial Center.

Hamilton County Commissioners have played a strong role in supporting local nonprofits dedicated to helping domestic violence survivors. In 2020, Commissioners allocated additional CARES Act to Women Helping Women, YWCA, and Franciscan Ministries in response to increases in domestic violence cases sparked by the pandemic. Commissioners also expanded the Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team (DVERT) to include more Hamilton County jurisdictions. On September 23, 2021, Commissioners allocated an additional $50,000 to Women Helping Women though its Community Development Block Grant funds. Annually, Commissioners designate financial assistance to domestic violence shelters through fees on marriage licenses, annulments, divorce, or marriage dissolutions.

Posted on 10/08/2021