Purple Light Nights - Shine a light, Save a life

Purple lights – Shine a light, save a life 

Chilliwack: The RCMP invite the public to join us and our community partners for the annual Purple Light Nights tree lighting ceremony to mark October as Domestic Violence awareness month.

Date: Tuesday October 1, 2019.

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Place: Chilliwack RCMP Community Policing Office

45924 Airport Road.

Introduced in King County, Washington in 2006 the illumination of purple lights is the first in a number of educational events planned by the Purple Light Night (PLN) committee comprised of members from the Chilliwack RCMP, Chilliwack RCMP Victim Services, Specialized Victim Assistance Program at Chilliwack Community Services, Ann Davis Transition Society, and Wilma’s Transition Society devoted to the prevention of domestic violence.

“Intimate partner violence remains a ‘silent crime’ which affects people from all walks of life, backgrounds, ages, sexual orientation, socio-economic status. The long-term effects on children is staggering,” says Corporal Samara Bilmer of the Chilliwack RCMP. “The purple lights shine brightly at the Chilliwack detachment for the entire month of October to let victims know they are not alone, they will be believed and they have the support of their community behind them.”

For more information regarding Purple Light Nights you’re invited to go online and visit www.purplelightnights.org.

Purple Light Nights Events:  

 Bakery Bake-off Competition hosted by the PLN committee challenges local bakeries and culinary schools to create a baking item decorated in the PLN colour of purple.  Entries will be posted online with the best decorated baking item determined by public vote.  Follow the bake-off at Purple Light Nights Chilliwack on Facebook and Instagram.  To enter send a photo of your baking item before September 28, 2019 to admin@xolhemesociety.org.

When: October 1 – 31, 2019.

Stand Up Against Violence towards Women hosted by Chief Ernie Crey, Cheam First Nations, and the Chilliwack RCMP featuring keynote speaker JR Larose, retired CFL BC Lions player,  2011 Grey Cup Champion, Be more than a Bystander spokesperson, and proud Indigenous ambassador. Also featured are representatives from the ‘Moose Hide Campaign’ a grassroots movement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous men and boys who are standing up against violence towards women and children.

Date:  Wednesday October 9, 2019.

Time:  8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Place: Cheam First Nation Hall

52161 Victor Drive

Charity Movie Night hosted by Cottonwood 4 Cinemas featuring Maple: A Documentary, film that details the 2011 murder of 19 year old Maple Batalia – the victim of intimate partner violence. Maple’s best friends will be speaking to the audience with targeted messages for youth and their parents.

Date:  Thursday October 17, 2019

Time:  7 p.m.

Place: Cottonwood 4 Cinemas

45380 Luckakuck Way

Pull Your Head Up BBQ hosted by the PLN committee invite the public to a community BBQ and Pull-Up competition where fire fighters from the Chilliwack Fire Department will be on the grill and challenging participants to a pull-up repetition competition in support of eliminating gender-based violence in our community.

Date: Saturday October 19, 2019

Time: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Place: Cottonwood Mall parking lot

45585 Luckakuck Way

(Photos and information provided by the Chilliwack RCMP)