Gabby Petito's dad attends inaugural Purple on the Plaza

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) — October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence hosted its inaugural Purple on the Plaza event with a special guest, Joseph Petito. Petito lost his daughter Gabby to domestic violence in a tragedy that captivated the nation back in the summer of 2021. Her father Joe was in Albany as the city lit up purple.

“We’re here tonight to remember and to lift up the voices and victims and survivors of domestic violence,” said Kelli Nicholas Owens, Executive Director NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.

“Together, we can, together is how we’re going to stop domestic violence. Right now, there’s about one in three women, one in five men, 10 to 20 million children a year,” explained Joe Petito. He said that he was in Albany to support new laws to help end the violence and abuse. “I’m here in support of legislation S2280, which is a lethality assessment to bring here in the state of New York.”

Petitio said it’s a program that’s been around for 20 years. “It’s shown to reduce domestic violence homicide by 50% or more.”

And said if you’re unsure about the situation you are in, it is important to listen to what your body tells you.

“A lot of times, your mind won’t give you the best advice because you look for reasons to justify actions or to stay. But when you feel that anxiety or those butterflies in your stomach, you know just about going home, like you shouldn’t fear going home if you’re in a relationship where you don’t feel that you’re on equal ground. Maybe that’s not the best relationship for you.”

Owens said this might be the first time for Purple on the Plaza, but it won’t be the last. “I think we’re really lifting up the voices of survivors and victims of domestic violence to make sure that they’re remembered and to make sure that when somebody needs help, they know how to reach out and really bringing awareness to the issue of domestic violence.”

The executive director said education and awareness are key to ending the violence.

“People are picking up on more and more signs. I think 30 years ago, people thought of domestic violence as somebody hitting someone. But there are so many more dynamics to domestic violence.”

Gabby’s dad agreed and said he feels education is another step in the prevention. “When you understand what control looks like, it’s a whole new world. When you learn about domestic violence, education, it’s a whole new world. You understand the red flags, you understand the situations, you understand where to go.”

A Capital Region domestic violence awareness advocate who has spread awareness for decades is Martha Lasher-Warner, who lost her daughter Liza to domestic violence. She was also at the inaugural event.

“Oddly enough, my daughter Liza was murdered on October 1, 2004. So, it’s more special to me to make sure that whatever I can do to assist women who are in abusive relationships to get out. Hearing the advocates speak and knowing the work that’s being done in New York State is phenomenal,” said Lasher-Warner.

James De La Fuente

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