MARCH 2011

Purple R.E.I.G.N. Report VOLUME 1 / 1ST QTR ISSUE

One in every four women will

experience domestic violence in her
lifetime.

Essex County has among the highest

number of domestic violence fatalities,
police reported domestic violence
offenses, and requests for restraining
orders in the State.

The health-related costs of rape,

physical assault, stalking, and homicide
by intimate partners exceed $5.8 billion
each year. Of this total, productivity
Restoration. Empowerment. Integrity. Grace. Nobility. losses account for nearly $1.8 billion.

“My Cry in the Dark”

Purple R.E.I.G.N. Social Services, Inc. is an Breaking the Vicious Cycles of Domestic Violence
agency created by advocates and OVERCOMERS
to:
Address the pain of victims and survivors of
violence, abuse, and sexual assault On Saturday, March 12, 2011, Purple R.E.I.G.N. partnered with the
Educate communities Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and the Essex
County Prosecutor’s Office to present “My Cry in the Dark” Breaking
Eradicate the vicious cycles of domestic
the Vicious Cycles of Domestic Violence to the County of Essex.
violence
Address the root cause of addictions, “My Cry in The Dark”: Breaking the Vicious Cycles of Domestic
incarceration and destructive behaviors Violence, was an interactive conference of City Officials; community
leaders; advocates; health care professionals / practitioners, victims,
The mission of Purple R.E.I.G.N. is to outline the survivors, and OVERCOMERS, aimed to increase awareness of the
tools: advocacy, crisis intervention counseling, safety domestic violence epidemic in urban communities, create a dialogue
planning, legal representation, restraining orders around solutions, and teach victims, as well as perpetrators of domestic
(R.O. & T.R.O.), housing, support services, etc. violence to Live 4 Love.
needed to safely restore and transform the lives of
those striving to overcome: abuse, violence, and
trauma; while linking corresponding resources,
providing a holistic approach to healing, and
improving the standards of living one heart at a
time.

Our vision is to be a premier domestic violence and Executive Team of

sexual assault agency that: broadens current Purple R.E.I.G.N.:
Dawn James, Dir., Safety
practices; is inclusive of education, literacy, Asia D. Smith, Founder
intervention and prevention strategies; enhance the Tanisha L. Riley, Assoc.
quality of current systems / best practices; and Executive Director.
implement culturally specific programs that address
the adverse perceptions and misconceptions of
violence and abuse.

Additionally, we offer the following specialized services:

Speaking Engagements Support Groups

Technical Assistance Workplace Safety
Curriculum Development Consulting
Capacity Building Publications
Teen Education & Prevention Self-Defense Tips
Conferences Sensitivity Training
Individual Counseling Seminars
 Purple R.E.I.G.N. Report
“My Cry in the Dark”
Breaking the Vicious Cycles of Domestic Violence
The conference was held in the state of the art auditorium of Central "Special thanks to Ms. Asia Smith for the courage and
High School, with over 400 registered guests, and 30 of the top service leadership to address the problem of domestic violence in
providers disseminating literature and resources in the Atrium. The our community.” - Jack Farrell, MSW, LCSW
moderator for the day was Dr. Stephanie Bush- Baskette, JD, Ph.D., and Violence Institute of UMDNJ
Director of the Joseph C. Cromwall Center for Metropolitan Studies at Rutgers
University. “I want you to know I felt you and your organization did
a fantastic job. I will be happy to hear how I could assist
you in the future”. – Rose Williams, MSW
The topics of discussion included: the risk factors and vicious cycles of
NJ Coalition for Battered Women
domestic violence, especially in urban communities; resources available for victims,
survivors, and families of abuse, violence and trauma; the importance of intervention
“I attended Sat.'s event in Newark and must
and prevention programs; and methods to eradicate this harmful disease. The
congratulate you on a job well done. You pulled together
speakers on the dais included: The Honorable Mayor Wayne Smith of the
impressive and informed speakers and the panels
Township of Irvington, South Ward Councilman, Principal of Central High School, delivered solid information to the attendees. I also found
and survivor Ras Baraka; Pamela McCauley of the Essex County Prosecutor’s the range of services at the reception tables to be helpful
Office; Mary Houtsma of the Essex County Family Justice Center; Lt. Amanda as I gathered pamphlets and handouts to help in my work
Koontz of the Irvington PD; Ruth Kleiman of Lighthouse Social Services; Dr. w/ DV victims. It was time well-spent at a well-run
Nichole Simmons; and Thomas Ellis of Enough Is Enough. event.” – Jill B., LCADC, DVRT

A dynamic, spoken word monologue on sexual assault was done by Mr.
Troy Balkum, as an introduction to the first keynote speaker, John
Farrell, LCSW, MSW of the Violence Institute of UMDNJ. “Jack” as he
is also known, delivered a powerful presentation that shed light on the
influence of media /the entertainment industry, the misconceptions of
manhood, but also spoke passionately about the beauty of love,
relationships, and effective ways of communication.
During the intermission and lunch break, the audience had an
opportunity to view the Award-Winning Documentary: A Pillar of Salt
– The Angry Woman Syndrome, as well as participate in a Question
and Answer Session with Award-Winning Director Hafiz Farid.
“Thank you for inviting The Safe House to participate in
the „My Cry in the Dark‟ event. The event was one of the
best I‟ve been to and we always welcome the opportunity
to get the word out about resources available to victims of
Domestic Violence. As Mary Houstma would say, “the
dedication and commitment of Domestic Violence service
providers in Essex County is truly awesome!” and your
event brought us all together to prove that once again!” –
Sue S.

The Diversity Youth Theater performed a customized, moving piece,

“My Cry in the Dark” under the guidance of the Founder / Artistic
Director Kathy Harrison, as the introduction of the final keynote
speaker, Asia D. Smith, Founder / Executive Director of Purple
R.E.I.G.N. Social Services. Asia’s presentation entitled “I Am Not
The Defendant”, gave an in-depth perspective of the dynamics of
being in an abusive relationship, the stereotypes of abused women, but
also proved that you can “Turn Tragedy to Triumph”! Panelists: Pamela McCauley of the Essex County Prosecutor’s
Office & South Ward Councilman Ras Baraka
*The event will be aired on the local access channels of Comcast and Cablevision; please check
your listings for more information. Clips will also be on our YouTube Channel: PurpleREIGNSS

Panelists:
Mayor Wayne
Smith,
Irvington;
South Ward
Councilman
Ras Baraka;
Lt. Amanda
Koontz,
Irvington PD
Over 30 service providers were assembled in the Atrium to provide
additional community support.
 MARCH 2O11
Purple R.E.I.G.N. Report VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1

PURPLE CARPET MOMENTS

LIVE 4 LOVE: SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
“I‟ve seen the future and decided to live there.” – Rene Terra Nova

President, LCH
Business & Purple
R.E.I.G.N. Board
Member, Lindsey C. Delta Sigma Theta & Omega Psi Phi
Holmes & Asia D.
Smith

The finale of the event was the unveiling of the Social Media Campaign:
LIVE 4 LOVE by President of LCH Business and Board Member of
Purple R.E.I.G.N., Lindsey C. Holmes. LIVE 4 LOVE includes the use
of Twitter and Facebook as educational and preventative measures to
Council President Donald Payne, Jr., City of Newark
eradicate the vicious cycles of domestic violence and sexual assault, while
promoting positive relationships and healthy lifestyles.

Additionally, Lindsey gave an awesome presentation of the upcoming,

first of its kind Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Mobile Application for the
Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, with Blackberry and Android operating systems
in the near future. The implementation of such a dynamic tool will provide access to:
Resources; Support; Education; National Hotline / Crisis Intervention Services;
Safety Tips; Preventative Tools; Teen Education; etc. to victims and survivors 24/7, Rose Williams, NJ Coalition for Battered Women

WORLDWIDE! #LIVE 4 LOVE... Follow us on:

To learn more about our innovative Social Media Campaign and

services, please call: (973) 93-PURPL.

THANK YOU
Purple Carpet interview w/ Mayor Smith, Irvington ,
We would like to THANK all of our corporate sponsors, community partners, and
the hundreds of people that came out to help us educate the community, empower
victims and survivors, and most importantly, eradicate the vicious cycles of
domestic violence and sexual assault in the lives of others. We exceeded our
goals, and we’re planning to do even more next year!

Please click the following link to watch our virtual THANK YOU to the Speakers
and Sponsors: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHrAB2wVAQc
West Ward Councilman Ronald Rice, Jr., City of Newark

P.O. BOX 6364 ∞ NEWARK, NJ 07106 ∞ O (973) 93-PURPL ∞ F (973) 352-6575

WWW.PURPLEREIGNSS.ORG
Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker, City of Newark
LIVE 4 LOVE