Paws for Purple

-- Fleet and Family Support Center personnel held a Paws for Purple event at the end of October that included speakers and a “pet parade.” It is put together in support of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. According to Andrea Gutierrez, studies have shown that there is a link between animal abuse and domestic violence within a family.

Victims of domestic violence have deep attachments to their pets and consider them sources of comfort and affection. Perpetrators of domestic violence can take advantage of this human-animal bond in order to emotionally abuse their victims. Abusers may threaten or commit violence against a pet to threaten or control their victims and to confirm their status in the family. They may also use violence against pets to isolate their victims. Victims who cannot find a safe place for their pet may delay leaving an abusive relationship for fear of what might happen to their pet.

Right, participants showed up to impress in purple. Below are attendees of the “Pet Parade” that was held on the seawall adjacent to Sunfish Beach.