FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 24, 2019
CONTACT: ocdvmedia@cityhall.nyc.gov, (212) 341-2052

NYC Go Purple Day: De Blasio Administration Illuminates City in Purple and Launches New PSA to Raise Awareness About Domestic Violence

NEW YORK, NY—October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and purple is the symbolic color to raise awareness about domestic violence. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), events are held around the city to educate New Yorkers on domestic violence, recognize survivors, celebrate advocates and community-based organizations that serve survivors, and share critical information about resources.

On NYC Go Purple Day, The Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) works with administration and elected officials to provide outreach materials and information about domestic violence to New Yorkers. In observance of the day, several landmarks around New York City will be illuminated in purple in the evening. These include City Hall, the Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island Borough Halls, 1 Police Plaza, the Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street, and Bronx County Courthouse, as well as 1 World Trade Center

This year, The Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) and First Lady Chirlane McCray launched a new partnership with cinema advertising company National CineMedia (NCM) to run public service announcements (PSAs) during its Noovie pre-show program before the movies at five select theaters in New York City.

In the message, First Lady McCray invites New Yorkers to learn about ways to support survivors and to get connected to the New York City Family Justice Centers. The NYC Family Justice Centers are co‐located multidisciplinary service centers providing vital social services, civil legal, and criminal justice assistance for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence and their children—all under one roof. 

“We all know someone who has experienced intimate partner violence in their life – this violence occurs in every neighborhood and every borough,” said First Lady Chirlane McCray. “New York City is proud to stand with survivors as we work to break the cycle of abuse and trauma. This new public service announcement will help us let more New Yorkers know that free and confidential help is always available in our city.”

The de Blasio administration has a steadfast commitment to advancing the City’s responses to domestic violence, which has included an unprecedented $11 million investment in new and innovative programming through the NYC Domestic Violence Task Force.  Additionally, under this Administration, NYC opened its fifth NYC Family Justice Center in Staten Island, ensuring that survivors in every borough have access to co-located multi-disciplinary social, legal, criminal justice and supportive services.  In 2018, the administration announced NYC HOPE, New York City’s first web-based portal for information and resources about gender-based violence.  

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a terrific time to get connected to ways to support survivors of gender-based violence,” said Cecile Noel, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic Violence. “We need everyone to help us spread the word about the resources available in New York City. Every survivor should know that help is available and they are not alone.”

The PSAs will be running on all screens at the AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9 theater in Harlem, Regal UA Court Street and RPX theater in Brooklyn, AMC Bay Plaza Cinema 13 in the Bronx, Regal UA Kaufman Astoria and RPX theater in Queens, and Atrium Stadium Cinemas in Staten Island. The campaign will end its run in December.

“National CineMedia (NCM) is proud to be working with the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence and First Lady Chirlane McCray to use the power of the big screen to reach movie audiences with this important NYC Go Purple Day message,” said Cliff Marks, President of National CineMedia (NCM).  “Movies connect us all, and there’s no better place to  reach and engage audiences about such a crucial issue effecting all the people of New York than at their local movie theater.”

All New Yorkers, including City employees, are encouraged to wear purple and post photos on social media with the hashtags #NYCGoPurple and #DVAM2019. Throughout the year, the City encourages all New Yorkers to:

• Recognize and speak out against intimate partner violence, gender injustice, and all forms of abuse.
• Offer support and share resources with someone who has experienced violence.
• Speak up against statements that promote violence.
• Get help from an expert, advocate, or other professional.
• Share key resources with those who need help:
  • Connect with NYC’s Domestic Violence Hotline for 24/7 support: 1-800-621-4673
  • Visit www.nyc.gov/NYCHOPE

“The scourge of domestic violence is something that we must rid from our homes and our communities,” said Lisette Camilo, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services. “During National Domestic Violence Month, I’m proud to support First Lady Chirlane McCray’s efforts to raise awareness about this problem and to connect survivors with the resources they need. To join in these efforts, we will be lighting City buildings purple to raise awareness about domestic violence and recognize its survivors.”

ENDGBV has relaunched NYC HOPE with a mini-campaign, featuring ads for NYC HOPE on LINK Kiosks, MTA buses and bus shelters, as well as a PSA on Taxi TV featuring Commissioner Noel produced by NYC Media, a division of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. Enhancements include a revamped online resources directory where visitors to the site can find detailed information about community-based resources.

”We are proud to have been part of this important campaign to raise awareness about domestic violence,” said Media and Entertainment Commissioner Anne del Castillo. “We applaud the efforts of NYC’s First Lady, The Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV) and Regal Movie Theaters for delivering this message to audiences throughout the five boroughs.”

About the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence

The Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence develops policies and programs, provides training and prevention education, conducts research and evaluations, performs community outreach, and operates the NYC Family Justice Centers. ENDGBV collaborates with City agencies and community stakeholders to ensure access to inclusive services for survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. For more information, visit nyc.gov/ENDGBV or visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.