If purple ribbons seen throughout a large variety of places have caught your attention, you may have wondered what they mean. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and purple is the symbol for domestic violence awareness.
Within Murray County, Southwest Crisis Center, 2551 Broadway Avenue, Slayton, (Phone: 507-804-0861) provides services for those who are victims of domestic abuse.
Sara Wahl, Executive Director of Southwest Crisis Center, explained that the organization is a community-based advocacy organization that provides support, advocacy, and hope to individuals and families impacted by sexual and domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and child abuse.
“Our services are focused on aiding the person who needs help. They guide their own process, make their own decisions, while counting on us for information, support, and referral,” Wahl explained. “Our advocates are supportive, nonjudgmental people who listen. They provide information and referrals, and help individuals and families identify their options. We listen and encourage people to make their own decisions without any judgment. It is their life and we really do honor the decisions that are made.”
Services through Southwest Crisis Center are confidential and free. The services are funded by local foundations, churches and individuals. “We really count on those donations to continue to provide these valuable services within the counties that we service,” Wahl stated.
Southwest Crisis Center offers services in Murray (507-804-0861), Jackson (507-800-1260), Cottonwood (507-831-2244), Nobles (507376-4311), Pipestone (507825-5688) and Rock (507-2839917) Counties.
Phone numbers that are available to contact Southwest Crisis Center includes their 24Hour Safe Line (800-376-4311) and a Youth Text Line (218666-8336).
Southwest Crisis Center also offers community education on a wide variety of topics related to domestic and sexual violence, child abuse, and sexual exploitation and trafficking. Presentations by staff members are available to community organizations and groups, churches, system professionals, schools, and more.
“We work hand-in-hand with New Horizons Crisis Center. Their mission is advocacy and support for those who have been impacted by crime. You can learn more about New Horizons and Southwest Crisis Center through our websites,” Wahl commented.
