Downtown Canton has been covered in purple ribbons as part of the Cherokee Family Violence Center's annual observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The center tied 3,267 purple ribbons on the gazebo and throughout the surrounding Cannon Park, one for each call related to domestic violence received by Cherokee 911 this year. The previous year, that number was closer to 3,300.
"We would like to think it is because of awareness," Michelle Knapp, outreach coordinator for the center, said of the decline.
But Niki Lemeshka, a legal advocate for the center, said the drop in numbers could just be a result of how the calls are classified. She said the center's needs have not lessened - it added a third legal advocate in the last year to handle the caseload.
This year, the center has added a Domestic Violence Awareness Month fundraiser to go along with its annual candlelight vigil, which was conducted on Tuesday night.
On Saturday, the center will host its first Football Frenzy and Tailgate Party benefit at Mason's Sports Grill in Canton.
"Because of the economy, many of our grants have reduced," said Meg Rogers, director of the center. "Donations are down. We are looking for ways to continue to fund our program because the needs are growing."
The event at 7 p.m. includes a wine walk, tailgate food and raffles. Tickets are $25. For information, call (770) 479-1804; michelle@cherokeefamilyviolence.org
The center this month also launched a new and improved Web site at cherokeefamilyviolence.org. It includes stories about domestic violence both locally and nationally, recent articles about domestic violence and links to other domestic violence resources.
Mrs. Rogers said the center also is working to open a teen center to offer a place for young people to hang out in a supervised place with access to computers, mentoring and tutoring. She hopes to have the center operating in the next year or two.
Kindel Williams, 38, was one of the speakers at Tuesday's candlelight vigil.
She spent about two-and-a-half years at the center, as until five years ago, she was stuck in a "recurring circle of violence."
"You are psychologically crippled," she said about being in an abusive relationship, adding the hardest step is to make the decision to leave. She underwent counseling to "get myself healthy" and was then introduced to the center and the services it provides.
She said the help provided by the center has been a blessing.
"They made me realize my self-worth," she said.
Ms. Williams said her message to other victims is that there are people who understand and can help.
"You really shouldn't give up hope," she said.
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