By Alaina Denean Deshazo | The Selma Times-Journal

Selma Mayor George Evans signed a proclamation declaring October to be Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to let the people of Selma know about SABRA Sanctuary and its resources in Selma.

“That means a great deal to us,” said Nancy Travis, executive director of SABRA Sanctuary. “Without the support of the city and the county and the people around us, we can’t do our job. Our job is to take care of the victims and their children and help them find a safe place to live and get them to a better life.”

Travis said SABRA is trying to remember the victims and honor the survivors, and in doing so, will have a candlelight vigil Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Songs of Selma Park and a “paint the town purple” campaign Friday, Oct. 7.

Travis said SABRA will have a short presentation where a survivor will speak on her personal domestic violence experience and the impact that it has had on her.

“October is domestic violence awareness month and we want to invite the city of Selma and the people to come join us,” Travis said.

On Friday, Oct. 7 SABRA is asking that everyone wear purple, along with putting a purple ribbon on their door.

“We’re hoping that people will wear the purple and think about the victims and some of the hardships that they go through,” Travis said.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that in America, one woman is fatally shot by a spouse, ex-spouse or dating partner every 14 hours, and since Jan. 1 there have been 467 domestic violence gun related fatalities.

Martha Green, a SABRA board member, said paint the town purple is about raising awareness and letting people know that SABRA exists and is there to help people in the community.

“We just want to let everybody know what SABRA is,” Green said. “Maybe people will ask when they see the purple … and we’ll tell them about SABRA Sanctuary.”

Evans said the city is committed to helping the people in the community and promoting SABRA Sanctuary as a place to go in a time of need.

“I think it’s important that we as a city partner in this and be a part of this process,” Evans said.

“We all have a role to play in looking out for each other, and we should be helpful and be supportive of each other.”