APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – October is domestic violence awareness month. Domestic violence incidents are on the rise in northeast Wisconsin. One Fox Valley organization is participating in an initiative known as the ‘Purple Porch Project.’ The goal is to let victims know their community supports them.
“How do we help keep it in conversation to reduce the stigma so people can access the resources that they need?” Harbor House CEO Kristina Kishbaugh said.
The answer to that question isn’t a simple solution. But as a start, Harbor House is inviting the community to decorate their yards with the symbol of domestic violence support.
“There’s a lot of shame and fear to be able to step out if someone is controlling your finances, controlling where you live, if someone is controlling whether or not you’re going to be able to see your children again,” Kishbaugh said. “All of these things can become a barrier.”
Kishbaugh said it’s as important to recognize this issue now as it’s ever been.
“Sometimes people move away and think ‘oh this doesn’t happen here. But it really does”
The domestic violence statistics locally, are staggering.
“We have reached 1,628 clients served so far this year between adults and children and last year out total was 1,700 for the full year,” Kishbaugh said.
Wisconsin ranks eighth in the country in most lives lost to domestic violence according to Kishbaugh. That’s about one person every four days. Harbor House has seen an increase of 40 percent over the last year.
“We run a 68 bed facility and we have been running at full for about three months now. So it’s been pretty busy with the amount of people coming in.”
There’s no clear reason why these numbers have grown so significantly, but there’s speculation it could be related to the the lockdown of the pandemic.
“With those increases of violence that are happening publicly, those same things are happening inside our homes as well which is raising concerns and people are reaching out for help,” Kishbaugh said.
2023 will be the fifth annual Purple Porch Project for Harbor House. The project itself is a nationwide initiative.
Anyone interested in purchasing a purple light kit for their porch can do so at the Harbor House in Appleton on October 2 from 4-7 PM, October 6 from 3-6 PM and at participating Fox Community Credit Unions. Harbor House is also hosting a candlelight vigil for victims of domestic violence next Tuesday from 5:30-7 PM at Kilnkner Park in Chilton.
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