Safe Embrace launches Love Should Be Sweet campaign for domestic violence awareness

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) - – Safe Embrace, a nonprofit working to provide resources and support to victims of domestic and sexual violence, is calling on local organizations and businesses to participate in its 2024 Love Should Be Sweet campaign the month of October. Their goal is to have local restaurants, businesses and establishments help bring attention to domestic violence by offering purple-themed items on their menus or in their inventory, symbolizing the recognized color of domestic violence awareness. The campaign will begin with a kick-off cocktail hour at Reno Public Market (RPM) on Tuesday, Oct. 1, where the general public is invited to learn more about how they can play a pivotal role in reducing the rate of domestic violence.

Krystal Copenhaver, outreach and education specialist at Safe Embrace, and Kallie Laity, owner of Kitty Kisses Cat Café, stopped by Morning Break to share how easy, and how important, it is to get involved.

Several other organizations have already joined Safe Embrace for the Love Should Be Sweet campaign, including the Reno Public Market as a launch site, Grand Sierra Resort, Prude and Boujee, The Eddy, Stella Coffee Company, Rebel Paws and Black Hole Body Piercing. Participating businesses will receive support and recognition through Safe Embrace social media channels and event materials. There is no cost to participate, and individuals can take the 2 minute survey to sign up.

The month-long effort is designed to prompt conversation around domestic violence, and Nevada numbers continue to be high. According to domestic violence data aggregated by World Population Review, Nevada has the fourth highest rate of women who have experienced violence, with about 43.8% of Nevada women who will experience this in their lifetime. In January of this year, several new laws went into effect in order to work at mitigating violence and improving response on behalf of victims including Assembly Bill 163, which worked to expand resources for those employees impacted by domestic violence. Regardless, the state continues to see high numbers of power-based violence.

The Love Should Be Sweet kick-off party at RPM takes place Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 5:30 p.m.

Then, Safe Embrace will join fellow domestic violence awareness and advocacy organizations for an event at Wingfield Park on Saturday, Oct. 5. Together, Safe Embrace, the Domestic Violence Resource Center, the Washoe County Human Services Agency, the Reno Police Department (RPD) Victim Services Unit, the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office, Tu Casa Latina, Inter-Tribal Council Of Nevada and Noah’s Animal House will gather to recognize and remember victims while providing critical information and support to those attendees in need. The event is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Additionally, Safe Embrace joins these fellow organizations in encouraging northern Nevadans to wear purple on October 17, also known as Purple Thursday, to signify a commitment to peace, courage, and personal dedication to helping educate about domestic violence.

To learn more about Safe Embrace and its services, click here.