Agenda - Council Work Session - 05/22/2018

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(2) Option two is a tag line that reflects on the City of Ramsey in conjunction with the issue of domestic abuse, such as "The City of Ramsey Breaks the Silence about Domestic Violence." BENEFITS TO THE CITY FROM A PURPLE LIGHTS INITIATIVE (1) The PURPLE LIGHTS INITIATIVE will generate good PR for the City of Ramsey Law Enforcement's awareness of domestic violence. (2) The PURPLE LIGHTS INITIATIVE will make a difference for victims. Although the impact of public statements can't be easily quantified or measured, our advocacy experience tells us that public statements do matter. It could give a victim courage to take a step toward leaving his or her abuser, help someone recognize that his or her sibling or friend is abused and reach out, or help a victim realize that what he or she is experiencing is abuse. (3) Public awareness initiatives like the PURPLE LIGHTS INITIATIVE play a role in promoting systemic change and a normative cultural shift. Helping a victim escape abuse and regain a life free of violence is critically important. However, domestic violence will never be eliminated without an attitudinal shift to zero tolerance for abuse. Efforts like the Purple Lights Initiative move us incrementally towards that zero tolerance attitude. PUBLICITY Every piece of publicity is an opportunity to (1) bring goodwill to the City of Ramsey for its willingness to tackle a social issue, (2) educate the public about domestic violence, and (3) send a message to the victims of abuse ("we care about you") and their abusers ("we will not be quiet about this ugly reality"). The types of publicity could include the following: • Articles in local publications (*See below for a specific list.) • Flyers that explain the PURPLE LIGHTS INITIATIVE and list help lines/resources for victims. These could be posted in the Municipal Building, library, police departments, local churches and other venues that are appropriate. • North Metro television coverage • Social Media The articles in local publications could cover a variety of domestic abuse -related topics, depending on each publication's specifications about the length and breadth of its coverage. Topics could include — and these are just examples — statistics describing the frequency/pervasiveness/cost of abuse, warning signs for abuse of yourself and others, the dynamics of an abusive relationship and resources for help. *List of possible publications: 1. City of Ramsey Resident (September/October) 2. ABC newspapers 3. City of Ramsey Facebook page 4. Also mentioned in other news releases in Anoka County (Anoka County Newsletter — Fall edition)