Governor Cuomo Announces Three Iconic New York Buildings to Shine Purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

September 30, 2016

One World Trade Center to Shine Purple on Saturday, October 1

Governor Encourages all New Yorkers to Wear Purple on Thursday, October 20 as Part of "Shine the Light" Campaign

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that three iconic New York State buildings will shine purple in acknowledgment of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. One World Trade Center in Manhattan will be lit on Saturday, October 1 to mark the beginning of the state’s awareness efforts, and the Governor Alfred E. Smith and SUNY Plaza buildings in Albany will be illuminated in purple throughout the month of October. The Mid-Hudson Bridge will also feature purple lights through the month as part of the state’s "Shine the Light on Domestic Violence" campaign.

"Bathed in the color that has come to symbolize domestic violence awareness, these landmarks serve as acknowledgment that we as New Yorkers will not be silent about this social pandemic," Governor Cuomo said. "The purple light beaming down from our state’s tallest buildings serve as symbolic recognition of the impact of domestic violence on thousands of New Yorkers, and is a reminder that our work to support victims and break the cycle of abuse remains critically necessary today."

Under Governor Cuomo’s leadership, the state has enacted a variety of legislation designed to strengthen protections for victims of domestic violence and improve victim services in New York State. Judges are now required to consider the history and use of possession of firearms, and violations of orders of protection, when determining bail or release of individuals charged with domestic violence offenses. Last year, police agencies reported approximately 54,000 victims of intimate partner and domestic violence and New York State courts issued nearly 206,000 orders of protection in connection with cases of intimate partner violence.

Among other initiatives, the state has enacted legislation to ensure that survivors continue to receive health care with the confidentiality of their addresses protected, as well as supporting the development of housing for those at risk of homelessness, which disproportionately affects women victims and their children.

SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher said, "At SUNY Plaza and at SUNY campuses across New York State, we will proudly shine purple to bring more awareness about the issue of domestic violence, which affects far too many New Yorkers, as well as the support and resources available when violence occurs. SUNY is focused on this issue both on and off campus, and to that end, we continue our efforts to provide comfort bags to more New York shelters through SUNY’s Got Your Back."

The 408-foot spire of One World Trade Center will shine purple on the evening of Saturday, October 1. The Governor Alfred E. Smith State Office Building – the second tallest structure in New York State’s capital city – and SUNY Plaza building will be illuminated for the entire month. In addition, the Mid-Hudson Bridge connecting Ulster and Dutchess counties will feature purple lights on October 2, 17, 18, and 20.

Governor Cuomo also encourages all New Yorkers to participate in the Shine the Light campaign by wearing purple on Thursday, Oct. 20. Now in its ninth year, hundreds of individuals, municipalities, organizations, law enforcement agencies, businesses, colleges and universities across the state opt to participate in this annual campaign.

The New York State Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline (1-800-942-6906) offers help and information 24 hours a day, in English, Spanish and other languages. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing can call 711.

New York State also supports and funds community-based programs to assist victims of domestic and sexual violence and other crimes, including these Domestic Violence Resources, the Crime Victim Assistance Program and Sexual Assault and Violence Response Resources for SUNY Students.

About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2023, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.


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