Wallingford Police Department To Recognize Domestic Violence Week

Press release from the Wallingford Police Department:

WALLINGFORD, CT — The Wallingford Police Department would like to announce the dates and events planned for Domestic Violence Awareness Week 2021. The goal of this week is to remember those who have lost their lives to intimate partner violence, celebrate the survivors who had the strength and courage to leave, and provide a guiding light to those who wish to leave a domestic violence relationship.

Purple Ribbon Pins

October is the National Domestic Violence Awareness month across the United States. In honor of this month long observance, the Wallingford Police Department Officers will be wearing a purple ribbon pin on their uniforms to show support to the victims and survivors of domestic violence.

Teen Dating Presentation

The Wallingford Police School Resource Officers will also be working with Lyman Hall and Sheehan High School to present to their students a presentation on violence in teen dating.

The Silent Witness Initiative

On October 18, 2021, The Silent Witness Initiative will be installed on the front lawn of the police department. The Silent Witness Initiative was started in 1990 to promote, educate, and garner support to end domestic violence through community based exhibits. The Exhibit will be a visual representation of the Intimate Partner Homicides in the State of Connecticut in 2019. This representation consists of life-sized, red silhouettes of people. Each silhouette will have the name, date of death, and town for every Intimate Partner Homicide victim from 2019, which there were 15. Along with the names will be facts and statistics related to domestic violence and how COVID-19 has affected domestic violence victims. The Silent Witness Initiative will remain on the front lawn of the police Department from October 18, 2021 through October 24, 2021.

The silhouettes will be created by Mr. Rich’s Lyman Hall High School Woodworking Class.

The Clothesline Project

Starting October 1, 2021 through October 22, 2021, we would like to encourage survivors of domestic violence to come to the police department to participate in The Clothesline Project.

The Clothesline Project was founded in 1990 by Rachel Carey-Harper in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Its goal is to educate the public about domestic violence through the personal experiences of the survivors.

The Wallingford Police Department Clothesline Project will consist of white t-shirts with the stories of the survivors. We encourage survivors of domestic violence to come to the police department, starting on the date of this press release, and to write their story on a t-shirt that the police department will provide. These shirts will then be hung outside with The Silent Witness Initiative. You can also contact Chrysalis Meriden-Wallingford to write on a shirt as well.

General Information Sessions

On October 20, 2021 from 12pm-5pm, the Wallingford Police Department will be holding a general information session with CCADV and Chrysalis Meriden-Wallingford at the Wallingford Senior Center located at 238 Washington St. This information session will speak about the cycle of violence, the types of abuse that are seen in domestic violence, how the police can help, where/how to get a restraining order, and how to contact an advocate. Advocates from Chrysalis will be there to assist any victim who wishes to speak to them and provide them with their service options. Refreshments will be provided by Nardelli’s of Wallingford.

On October 21, 2021 from 12pm-5pm, we will be having a Spanish speaking information session at 284 Washington St. at SCOW. The same information will be provided as above and will be presented by Officer Torres, one of Wallingford Police Department’s Spanish speaking officers. There will also be Spanish speaking advocates available for any victim who wishes to speak to them. Refreshments will be provided by Nardelli’s of Wallingford.

Candlelight Vigil
On October 22, 2021 (rain date October 23, 2021) from 5pm-7pm, we will be holding a candlelight vigil on the front lawn of the Wallingford Police Department. We welcome everyone in our community to join us as we remember those that have lost their lives to domestic violence, celebrate the survivors, and provide a guiding light to victims who wish to leave their domestic violence relationship. After the vigil, we encourage the community to take a look at The Silent Witness Initiative and The Clothesline Project. Chrysalis will also be at the vigil to provide information on their services and provide support to those who need it.

This press release was produced by the Wallingford Police Department. The views expressed here are the author's own.