USVI marks October with purple ribbons, marches and fundraisers for domestic violence awareness

October has arrived with a push across the US Virgin Islands to raise awareness about domestic violence and support those affected by it. The Women's Coalition of St. Croix and the St. Thomas Family Resource Center are spearheading the effort, asking residents to wear purple throughout the month as a visible sign of solidarity with survivors, people in danger, and those killed by intimate partner or family violence.

Clema Lewis, who leads the Coalition, aims to end violence between family members and intimate partners through community engagement. Anya Stuart, director of the Family Resource Center, said the organizations are partnering with local groups to stage fundraising activities that will help provide services to those in need.

"Not just for Domestic Violence month, but all the time, we want to remind and encourage individuals to be aware of the issue of Domestic Violence in our community, but we also want them to do whatever they can to prevent and put and end to domestic violence incidents," Stuart said. "We have to all be accountable for what happens in our community and report it and seek help."

St. Thomas and St. John

On Saturday, My Brother's Workshop will host an Oktoberfest fundraiser from noon until 6 p.m. A dog walk against domestic violence kicks off at 7 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, along the St. Thomas waterfront starting at Emancipation Garden.

Candlelit Take Back the Night marches are planned for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, at Frank Powell Park on St. John, and again on Thursday, October 22, when participants will walk from Emile Griffith Ball Park to Emancipation Garden on St. Thomas. St. John will also host a Master Chef Throwdown on Thursday, October 17, at Galavantin.

St. Croix

The Coalition's Supermarket Project runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 17, at The Market STX and Cost-U-Less, where shoppers can donate toiletries and other supplies for people the organization serves.

A candlelit Take Back the Night march begins at 6 p.m. on October 22 in Frederiksted, starting at the fish market and concluding at the Eliza McBean Clock Tower. This year's ceremony will recognize people reported missing over time.

The Coalition is also inviting people who have used its services to complete an online feedback survey at wcstx.org/client-survey to help shape future programming.