The Tree of Hope in Victoria Park is now illuminated with purple lights, signalling the start of the London Abused Women's Centre's Shine the Light campaign.
The agency's annual initiative to increase awareness about men's violence against women kicked off on Tuesday. London police Chief John Pare and local politicians joined campaign supporters for the launch.
"The lightning of the tree is always a pretty emotional event," says Megan Walker, executive director of the London Abused Women’s Centre (LAWC). "People like to come and experience, not only the struggles that women go through everyday, but also to feel the hope that there is an opportunity to change for the future."
This year's Shine the Light campaign honours 36-year-old Paula Gallant, a Nova Scotia mother murdered by her husband in December 2005, and abuse survivor Mary Meadows of St. Thomas.
"I think it is really important for us as we honour women that have been murdered by their partners, that we also honour the strength and courage of women who have survived," says Walker.
Meadows, who received help from the LAWC, delivered the keynote speech at the kickoff.
The lone tree in the southwest corner of the park will be awash in purple throughout the month. The London Convention Centre, the Middlesex-London Health Unit, and the Blackburn Fountain at the Forks of the Thames are among more than 50 buildings and monuments in London that will also be bathed in purple light.
The London-born initiative has spread to more than 20 other cities across the country, including Ottawa. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau voiced his support for the campaign in a video message sent to the LAWC last month.
"We know that the campaign does resonate with communities across Canada," says Walker. "It's very rare that you would find someone who hasn't had involvement with the issue of men's violence against women, either as a survivor or because they have experienced it by being exposed to it as a child or having a family member involved."
Walker says demand for the centre's services has increased by 180% annually over the past few years.
A list of campaign events can be found by clicking here.
