Centre Safe Honoring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month 

Each October, Centre Safe recognizes Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), a time to honor survivors, remember those lost to domestic violence, and strengthen our commitment to ending abuse. Behind every statistic is a person, a family, and a community deserving of safety, support, and hope.

Join us at events throughout the month. Together, we can learn to recognize the signs of abuse, respond with compassion, support survivors, and connect individuals and families with the resources and services they need. Through education, awareness, and community action, we can help create a safer and more supportive community for everyone.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2026

Light the Courthouse Purple
All month 

The Centre County Courthouse will be lit purple, the signature color of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, to symbolize support for survivors and raise awareness of domestic violence.

 

Purple Lights Campaign
All month 

Shine the light on domestic violence by displaying purple lights at your workplace or residence in October. Our county-wide campaign invites area residents, businesses, and organizations to shine purple lights on their front porches, front windows, or other public displays the entire month to remember the victims and honor the survivors of domestic violence. You can also shine your light virtually by displaying purple lights on your social media.

 

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation
Tuesday, October 6 at 10 a.m.
Willowbank Building, Bellefonte 

The Centre County Board of Commissioners will proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

 

Purple Thursday
Thursday, October 15 

Centre Safe invites the community to wear purple in support of survivors of domestic violence. Purple is the official color of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and wearing it is a simple, yet powerful way to show solidarity. Join the movement online by sharing photos using the hashtag #PurpleThursday and tagging @Centresafe.

 

Empty Place at the Table
All month 

Centre Safe will display the Empty Place at the Table exhibit at all YMCA branches in Centre County, honoring victims of domestic violence killed between 1998 and 2017. Each place setting represents a life lost, with details about the victim’s homicide. It serves as a reminder that even one life lost is too many.

The exhibit will be at the following locations:

• • R-VOICE Center, Penn State University Park– all month
  • Moshannon Valley YMCA – Oct. 1-8
  • Penns Valley YMCA – Oct. 8-15
  • Bellefonte YMCA – Oct. 15-22
  • State College YMCA – Oct. 22-29

You can also keep up to date, watch live-stream content, and engage with Centre Safe this #DVAM by following @CentreSafe on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn.

 

Centre Safe provides professional, confidential, and free services for anyone in Centre County, including counseling, advocacy, legal support, outreach and education, shelter, transitional housing, and safe custody exchanges/supervised visitations via its Child Access Center. Centre Safe’s 24/7 hotline is toll-free at 877-234-5050. 

For more information about Centre Safe and DVAM events, contact Jennifer Pencek at 814-238-7066, or jpencek@centresafe.org.