News Release Archive

Hoover Dam to turn purple to focus attention on Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Media Contact: Patti Aaron, (702) 293-8189, paaron@usbr.gov
Doug Hendrix, 702-293-8391, dhendrix@usbr.gov

For Release: October 25, 2018

Hoover DamBOULDER CITY, NEV. - On Monday, Oct. 29, the iconic Hoover Dam will light up in purple to increase public awareness of the victims of crime and domestic violence.

“On Monday from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, the public can witness something unique, Hoover Dam turning purple to increase awareness of the impacts of domestic violence,” said Len Schilling, Manager of the Bureau of Reclamation’s Lower Colorado Dams Office. “A consortium of Nevada organizations statewide and nationally are uniting throughout the month of October to focus public and media attention on the impacts of domestic violence. The groups involved are SafeNest of Las Vegas, S.A.F.E. House, Shade Tree, Safe Embrace, Domestic Violence Resource Center, Tu Casa Latina, Crisis Call Center, and Winnemucca Domestic Violence Shelter, along with other organizations across Nevada.”

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person.

According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, domestic violence and sexual assault are pervasive, life-threatening crimes affecting millions of individuals across our nation regardless of age, gender, economic status, race, religion or education level. Unfortunately, more than one in three women nationwide have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Approximately 7.9 million women are raped, physically assaulted, and/or stalked by a current or former intimate partner each year.

“Purple gels will be placed over the lights that are on the powerhouse roof,” said Schilling. “Though access to the dam usually closes at 9:00 p.m., the Mike O'Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge plaza viewing lot will stay open, staffed with security, until 10:00 p.m. PDT for public viewing and media coverage.”

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.