By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Saturday’s Purple Light Nights in Hays, sponsored by Options Domestic & Sexual Violence Services, is all about the support and strength of survivors.

Shaelin Sweet, community advocate, said the annual event is in observance of October’s National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“It’s about awareness but it’s also about the support the Hays community shows to our survivors,” Sweet said. “Support can mean the difference between life and death for the people we work with.”

The family-friendly event is free and will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Sternberg Museum of Natural History, 3000 Sternberg Drive. It includes a petting zoo, children’s games, free chili, cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate, and a survivor luminary ceremony. Participants will be able to decorate and personalize their luminary in honor or memory of someone who has been abused.

Options supports the entire family.

“When domestic violence happens, when sexual assault happens, the entire family is impacted even if they were not the direct victim,” says Jennifer Hecker, executive director.  “Many times, those voices are left out and we  want to be able to bring those voices forward and show our support for the whole family.”

A similar event will be held Oct. 3 at Options’ new satellite office in Colby.

The non-profit agency serves 18 counties in northwest Kansas and provides free confidential services.

Help is available by calling the Options 24-hour hotline at 1-800-794-4624, or by submitting a request online on the Options Facebook page or website www.help4abuse.org.