Awareness ribbons come in every color and symbolize causes close to the hearts of those who wear them. Sometimes the colors and causes overlap as in the case of the purple ribbon. Along with issues such as cystic fibrosis, eating disorders and various types of cancer, the purple ribbon has come to be associated with domestic and other forms of interpersonal violence and abuse.

International Purple Ribbon Project

The International Purple Ribbon Project (IPRP) is an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and child abuse, sexual abuse, rape, murder, bullying and all other forms of interpersonal violence. It began in New Hampshire in 1994 as a group of rape and adult abuse survivors and now has supporters worldwide. They know their long-term goal of ending all interpersonal violence is lofty, but they believe that through awareness, abuse can be prevented one person at a time.

Purple Ribbon Events

Designing an event around the purple ribbon is a good way to increase awareness in your group or the public in your area to domestic violence and child abuse. The ribbon symbol can be used as a basis for walk-a-thons, fund-raising dinners, campus awareness rallies and to bring attention to local rape and domestic abuse shelters.

The IPRP has a brochure available for download which briefly describes the symbolism of the purple ribbon and facts about interpersonal violence. The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) also has a one-page flyer available at their site that encourages the use of the purple ribbon along with the National Domestic Violence Hotline number and space for you to place info such as for your business or non-profit organization.

Visit the links to these websites below to get your free literature. Both sites have a history of their organizations as well as more tips for creating an event centered around the purple ribbon.

• NRCDV


• IPRP