Shine the Light campaign set to kick off in London, Ont.

The London Abused Women's Centre (LAWC) is proud to be kicking off the

12th annual Shine the Light on Woman Abuse campaign tonight, November 1 at 5:30 p.m.

The event will be hosted in person at Victoria Park (SW corner at Dufferin Ave. and Clarence St.). Social distancing and masks are mandatory. Community members can also participate by tuning into the livestream at facebook.com/endwomanabuse.

Speakers include campaign honouree Rebecca Amendola, Mayor Ed Holder and Police Chief Steve Williams.

The rise of domestic violence amid COVID-19 has frequently been called a pandemic within a pandemic. The campaign coincides with Woman Abuse Prevention and Awareness month and the community is encouraged to illuminate their homes and places of work in purple. Purple floodlights are available at LAWC by emailing info@lawc.on.ca. Cost is $25. "A purple light sends a message of hope to abused women and girls in our community. Something as simple as this can create conversations and raise awareness around the issue of men’s violence against women” said LAWC's Executive Director Jennifer Dunn.

Shine the Light on Woman Abuse is a trademarked public awareness campaign run annually by the London Abused Women's Centre. The campaign aims to raise awareness of men's violence against women, as well as to stand in solidarity with women and girls who have been victims of physical, sexual, emotional and/or psychological abuse by turning buildings and landmarks purple for the month of November.

The London Abused Women's Centre (LAWC) is a feminist agency that provides free counselling, advocacy and support to abused, prostituted, trafficked and harassed women and girls over 12. LAWC also provides hope and support to families of women and girls who have been sex trafficked or gone missing.