Flags raise awareness at Hines VA Hospital
Purple and white are not considered traditional autumn colors. However, the unusual pigments have blanketed Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital's Centennial Park.
Since early October, 200 purple and 200 white ankle-high flags have flown throughout the small park to highlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month and available resources for those in need.
Purple represents intimate partner violence awareness, and white symbolizes men standing up against violence and harassment, explained Erin Hanrahan, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Assistance Program coordinator at Hines.
"Our goal is to raise awareness of this national issue and let Veterans, partners, caregivers and VA employees know that help is available when they are ready and ultimately save lives," said Hanrahan.
According to Hanrahan, more than 140 people have sought help from Hines VA's IPV program in 2023, but the number may be much higher.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence studies reported one in three women and one in four men among the general population have experienced some form of intimate partner violence.
Veterans could be twice as likely to experience it in their lifetimes, the National Center for PTSD estimated.
In 2015, the Department of Veterans Affairs began dedicating staff trained to assist domestic violence survivors. Currently, more than 90 percent of all VA health care facilities, including Hines VA Hospital, have a designated staff and resources to serve Veterans, their partners and VA employees, according to VA.
"Intimate Partner Violence is a complex health issue affecting millions of Americans from every race, religion and sexual orientation," said James Doelling, Hines VA Hospital director. "It doesn't discriminate, and we encourage those impacted by it to seek assistance."
Veterans can contact Hines VA's Hospital Intimate Partner Violence Coordinator at (708) 202-7243. Veterans can also find IPV coordinators at VA facilities across the nation at: www.socialwork.va.gov/IPV/Coordinators.asp.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline, at (800) 799-7233, and the Illinois Domestic Hotline, at (877) 863-6338, are also available.
Learn more about VA Intimate Partner Violence Assistance resources at: www.socialwork.va.gov/IPV/Index.asp.