Town and Task Force Focus on Domestic Violence Awareness

About a week ago, Wilton Officer Peter Trahan held a brief ceremony declaring October to be National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

During the month, both the Wilton Domestic Violence Task Force and The Wilton Teen PeaceWorks Group will be coordinating and sponsoring several events to raise awareness for the cause.

Last year, 70 purple bows were placed on trees in Wilton Town Center to represent the 70 cases of reported domestic violence in Wilton the previous year. This year 98 purple bows will hang on trees. The task force is desperately trying to get information to the community about what personal relationship violence is (it's not just physical), how to spot the warning signs in relationships and where to get help if you are in one.

The Wilton Domestic Violence Task Force and the Wilton Library are co-sponsoring an awareness event on Thursday, October 14th at 7:30pm at the Wilton Library. It is called, "Someone You Know is in an Abusive Relationship."

Guest speakers will include Marie Wendorff, owner of Wilton's Witchy Poo store. Marie is a survivor of a long-term abusive relationship. Her story is alarming, heart wrenching, scary and happened right here in Wilton. She will also reveal that this abusive relationship began in her teenage years. It is especially important for parents of teens to hear her story, learn how to recognize the non-physical signs of abuse and teach their children to know what is a safe relationship. Community members will learn how to get help for themselves or others and learn how they can help prevent it.

Awareness Events include:

• October 14th: 7:30pm at Wilton Library - "Someone You Know is in an Abusive Relationship."
• October 16th: 4pm at Wilton HS Veterans Stadium - The Wilton HS Marching Band will be wearing purple ribbons during their Homecoming halftime show in support of domestic violence awareness. The PeaceWorks Group will be making announcements, selling purple cupcakes and distributing awareness information 
• October 19th: The PeaceWorks Group will be decorating Wilton High School with banners, displays, statistics, etc about domestic violence 
• October 26th: exact time TBD (morning) - Domestic Violence Presentation by Teen PeaceWorks Group to entire junior class at Wilton High School. 
• October 28th: 6:30pm at Open House - a fundraising event for the Domestic Violence Crisis Center is being held at Open House. Open House will be donating a percentage of all purchases that evening to the Center.

If you have any questions or need clarification, please don't hesitate to contact the Wilton Domestic Violence Task Force Chairperson Janienne Hackett at home (203)834-1087 or on her cell (203)722-2163.