PURPLE LIGHT NIGHTS™
Covington Domestic Violence Task Force
City of Covington
AWC Award Submission, April 2009
Project Statement:
The Covington Domestic Violence Task Force, supported by the City of Covington, created a
domestic violence awareness campaign to be held annually each October called Purple Light
Nights™. The campaign has sold thousands of purple light bulbs in just two years. Having
garnered significant regional media attention, the campaign is already spreading to cities
across the country.
Project Need and Purpose:
In June 2004, the Covington City Council endorsed the formation of the Covington Domestic
Violence Task Force (CDVTF), founded by city staff member Victoria Throm. In her role as
a Human Service Specialist and a survivor herself, Victoria recognized the need for a
domestic violence task force that would not only work to develop community awareness of
this secret problem, but would also be committed to helping victims find safe housing and
other critical services. Over the past five years, the task force has been actively engaged in
the community, working with local churches, service groups, and businesses. The task force
has provided much needed education to the community on family dynamics involved in
domestic violence and effects of domestic violence on businesses, and has increased
awareness of victim services within the community.
From the beginning, the CDVTF has partnered with community members, service groups, and
non-profit agencies that serve victims of domestic violence, such as Domestic Abuse
Women’s Network (DAWN) and the YWCA. Recognizing a critical need for basic services,
the task force aims to help local victims of domestic violence by providing motel vouchers,
gas cards, food, and cell phones when shelters are full and a victim needs a safe place to stay.
In order to fund these services, the CDVTF needs to be able to raise money to support this
goal.
In spring 2007, Throm put together the idea for a new fundraiser that, with community
involvement, would not only provide financial support to the victim services program, but
would also expose domestic violence issues to the “light”. Using the color purple, the
symbolic color for domestic violence, the Purple Light Nights™ campaign was launched in
October 2007 to coincide with Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The goals of Purple Light Nights™ are to:
 provide a shining light to remember nearly 200 victims in Washington state who lost
their lives from domestic violence; to give support to survivors of abuse; and
give hope to those still living with domestic abuse;
 promote a strong message that “Domestic Violence Has NO Place In Our
Community;”
 increase revenue funds to continue providing services to local victims; and
 increase awareness of domestic violence issues and its effect on children through
community involvement.
CDVTF has sold hundreds of purple light bulbs for a minimal fee; additional groups or
agencies have launched their own campaigns based on the Purple Light Nights™ guidelines
and have sold hundreds more. Residents have been asked to install a purple light on their
front porch or in a lamp in their front window to remember the victims who lost their lives. In
addition to light bulbs, the task force aims to install purple string lights on all the street trees
around the shopping center near city hall. In response to the 2008 campaign, businesses and
individuals sponsored 13 street trees for $100 each. At the base of each tree a recognition
sign is placed noting the sponsor’s name, along with either a statistic about domestic violence
or a written memorial in a local victim’s name. Shoppers strolling along the shopping center
learn domestic violence statistics and the names of local victims.
Project Accomplishments:
To achieve the above-noted goals, the CDVTF, so far, has accomplished widespread
participation and involvement:
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Local commitment and participation in Purple Light Nights™ by the Covington City
Council, Kiwanis of Covington, Covington Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, local
businesses, and residents.
Commitment and participation by the South King County Regional Domestic
Violence Task Force Collaborative that consists of task forces in the cities of Renton,
Auburn, Kent, Federal Way, Enumclaw, SeaTac, and Tukwila. Some of these cities
hang purple light strings on their street trees, while others sell individual purple lights.
A Proclamation by the King County Metropolitan Council to recognize Purple Light
Nights™ throughout the county and to encourage citizens to participate in the
campaign (October 2008).
PLN™ recognition by the City of Seattle during the domestic violence month kick-off
event held in October 2008 at Seattle City Hall.
PLN™ recognition by Governor Gregoire in February 2009 through a signed
proclamation acknowledging Purple Light Nights™ in the state of Washington and
encouraging citizens to participate in the event this October.
CDVTF partnerships with other counties in Washington State who made a
commitment to hold a PLN™ campaign: Pierce County Domestic Violence
Commission sold 1300 purple light bulbs to community businesses; Thurston County;
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City of Lynnwood Police and Snohomish County; Island County; and Kitsap County
prosecutor’s office.
Written endorsement for Purple Light Nights™ from Attorney General Rob McKenna
and Congressman Dave Reichert (posted on the PLN™ web site).
Project Outreach:
With the help of local media, news about Purple Light Nights™ quickly spread and interest
grew. The Covington Reporter, Kent Reporter, Renton Reporter, Voice of the Valley, SE
Living Edition of the Seattle Times, and SE Shopper ran pictures and featured interest stories.
Television and radio media picked up the story and KOMO TV news, KIRO radio news, and
KMPS radio all conducted interviews about Purple Light Nights™ with Throm, Director of
CDVTF and city staff.
Given the success of the first campaign, the CDVTF made the decision to launch Purple
Light Nights™ at a national level in October 2008. To prepare for a national campaign, the
task force had to complete a number of legal steps to protect the integrity of the campaign.
The first step was to develop a logo that would be recognizable. To involve our community,
we advertised a logo contest with incentive prizes for the winning entry. The entries were
viewed by the CDVTF members who made the final decision on the winning logo that was
designed by a local high school student. The City Council presented her with a special
recognition award for her efforts.
With the logo chosen, the next step was to trademark the logo and the name Purple Light
Nights™. An attorney volunteered his time to complete the application process resulting in a
quick approval from Washington State.
It became apparent that a web site was going to be essential to reach people at the national
level. A main objective of the web site is to provide other domestic violence groups or
individuals around the world with step-by-step plans on how to conduct a Purple Light
Nights™ campaign in their own community. The web site includes a narrative history of
PLN™ with lots of free materials such as templates, advertising flyers, and product vendor
lists as word documents that can be edited to suit any group. We encourage readers to
download the materials and use them to promote their own campaign.
Web designer Julie (Yona) Burdge volunteered her time to design the web site
www.purplelightnights.org, which was launched in spring 2008. The Web site tracking
system indicates that web site viewers come from all over the world.
Finally, in order to maximize donations, qualify for corporate matching funds, and to apply
for future grant opportunities, Throm filed for a 501(c)(3) non-profit status. Covington DVTF
is an official tax-deductible organization.
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As a result of the national campaign, the program got the attention of many other cities and
counties across the nation. Representatives from the following states contacted Throm with a
commitment to initiate their own Purple Light Nights™:
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Nebraska; Sarpy County
Illinois; Sangamon County, Springfield
Idaho; Bonner County, Sandpoint
Ohio; Cleveland
Montana; Bozeman
Iowa; Des Moines
Oregon; Madras County, Ben
Maine; statewide - Aroostook County, Auburn, Bangor, Rockland
Project Outcomes/Value to the Community:
 One unexpected outcome that came from the media exposure was to hear how Purple
Light Nights™ affected families whose daughters were murdered by an abuser. Three
families contacted Throm to thank the task force. One family said, “Thank you for
remembering my daughter…it’s nice to know she hasn’t been forgotten by Washington
State”. One father stated, “I want to tell you how excited I was yesterday hearing your
message and the hope that women will have other choices rather than to stay and endure
abuse or worse. Hopefully, together we can find a remedy for this needless horror.” In
honoring the memory of domestic violence victims, Purple Light Nights™ was able to
give the families a sense of purpose and help ease their grief.
 The Attorney General’s office and several legislators endorsed the campaign and were
helpful in promoting the importance of community involvement in Purple Light
Nights™. The following quotes are posted on the Web site to attest to the value of this
program:
“The Purple Light Nights" Campaign is a terrific way to bring attention to the
devastating impact that domestic violence has on families and children. I want to
encourage every citizen of our state to take a few minutes this October to affix
a purple light to their home or workplace – to shine more light on the need to stop
domestic violence.” Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna
“From my own personal life experience and my experience as a law enforcement officer,
I know the far-reaching effects of domestic violence on a family and in a community.
Domestic violence is a problem that must continually be addressed and one of the key
ways to reduce its impact is for members of the community to take action. I hope
everyone takes time to participate in “Purple Light Nights” by hanging a purple light,
promoting the campaign with a sign, or simply getting involved. Together, we can
make a difference in the lives of so many.” Congressman Dave Reichert
 Working in partnership with DAWN, who hosts the 24 hour crisis line, they continue to
track demographics on their domestic violence crisis line to record where callers live.
Referring to the graph below, Covington shows a significant rise in the number of
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residents calling for services from 2005 to 2008. This increase corresponds with the
first year the CDVTF began its aggressive community domestic violence awareness and
education program in 2005.
Calls to the DV Crisis Line
Year
Covington
Residents
2008
95
2007
90
2006
90
2005
91
2004
76
2003
73
Use of Resources/Budget:
 Sales from Purple Light Nights™ and other donations have given the task force current
net assets of $1,843.50. These funds have allowed the task force to provide direct
services to victims who flee a domestic violence situation but find the shelters full.
Providing safe nights for women and children as they transition into shelter housing is
vital to their safety. The only alternative a victim has is to live on the street or return to
the abuser.
SERVICE
Motel Vouchers
Gas Card
Phone card
Food
Transportation to shelter
TOTAL
# OF CLIENTS
17 bed nights
1
1
1
2
22
COST
$743.00
30.00
15.00
15.00
60.00
$863.00
Project Partnerships:
Purple Light Nights™ value to the community is indicated by the varied partnerships that
have been formed:
 The Covington City Council endorses the campaign.
 The Covington Chamber of Commerce President promotes purple light sales to
business owners.
 Kiwanis, Rotary, and Lions Club of Covington are very supportive in boosting sales
and sponsoring a street tree.
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 The Muckleshoot Indian Tribal Council ordered 100 lights to give to their women
during an annual “healing ceremony” for domestic violence survivors.
 Several business owners sell purple lights in their stores.
 State Attorney General Rob McKenna shared brochures at the NW Regional
Conference for Attorney Generals held in Seattle.
 Neighboring Cities of Kent, Enumclaw, Auburn, and Renton join by installing purple
lights on street trees in their cities.
 The faith-based community volunteers to install and remove all street tree lights; one
large parish uses this as an educational tool to teach students about dating violence.
 Representatives from Domestic Abuse Women’s Network and YWCA are active
members of the CDVTF and work together to support the victims.
 Governor Christine Gregoire endorsed Purple Light Nights™ through a statewide
Proclamation (copy attached).
 Partnerships have developed with staff from agencies in several other counties and
states when providing information and materials to run their own PLN campaign.
Project Summary:
The Covington DVTF has made a positive impact in our community, helping to create healthy
relationships and families while giving hope to survivors of domestic violence. The message
that “Domestic Violence Has NO Place In Our Community” is witnessed through every
purple light that shines on every porch or tree. The simplicity of putting up a purple light is
the key to the success of this campaign. People feel good about being able to help by
participating, and it helps open the way to talk about an issue that is too often a shameful
secret guarded behind closed doors.
Victims are reaching out for help and healthy families are taking a stand to shine a light and
save a life.
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