November marks Family Violence Prevention Month in the province.

The Rowan House Women's Emergency Shelter kicked off their Purple Ribbon campaign at the Okotoks Rec Centre and have tied the special ribbons in all parts of the Foothills.

Executive Director Sherri Botton says it's a great way to send their message across to raise awareness for a very serious issue.

"We're tying purple in obvious places in Okotoks and High River and they'll stay up all through the month," she says.

Okotoks Mayor Bill Robertson was on hand for a proclamation signing Wednesday morning along with members of the Rowan House Staff and began tying ribbons in town.

Botton says whether it's a bench, door or light pole the purple ribbons are than just a ribbon.

"There's a little card attached with some information on the Rowan House and what people can do if they need help or they want to support us."

Botton says the ribbons are sometimes a way the healing process can begin for those dealing with family violence situations.

"A lot of people will ask 'What's that purple ribbon for?' Because people start to identify that as being associated with a cause. We definitely have people saying they saw the purple ribbon or I saw some awareness or I know of something because someone else was wearing that ribbon how can I help."

For more on the Rowan House visit the link here.

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