The Purple Bench Project has made its way to Chatham-Kent (CK).
The very first purple bench in the municipality was unveiled at Zonta Park in downtown Chatham on Friday to honour all victims killed as a result of domestic violence.
Karen Hunter, Executive Director of the Chatham-Kent Women's Centre, told a crowd of approximately 35 in attendance that her centre received over 1,350 crisis calls from women last year. She added that 125 women and children received emergency shelter support, amounting to 4,346 nights in total, and 790 women and children received counselling support in the community.
Hunter said those statistics are just the tip of the iceberg because many domestic violence incidents go unreported due to embarrassment, fear, and other factors.
Chatham-Kent Police Inspector Greg Cranston said, as a father of three teenagers, the bench should encourage more awareness and communication with our youth about the pitfalls of Intimate Partner Violence.
"It reminds of the importance of conversations to have with our children to make them aware that this problem does exist in our community. And through communication make them aware to let them have a better stance and be there for friends, family members, or anybody that comes into hardship or comes into contact with them," said Inspector Cranston.
Leah Cabral, Executive Director of Chatham-Kent Victim Services, said the bench serves as a reminder that all of us share the responsibility to end gender-based violence.
"We need men as leaders, as fathers, as partners, and as friends, taking responsibility and ownership in preventing violence against women and standing visibility for safety and respect in our community," Cabral said.
Officials with the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance noted that domestic violence and sexual assault cases coming to the CK hospitals have doubled in the past six years to 109 in 2025.
Chatham-Kent Victim Services is already working on the next bench to be displayed at the next suitable location, adding that domestic violence must end.
The Purple Bench Project started in 2015 in memory of Barb Ballie, who was strangled to death by her husband in 1990.
A QR code on the bench serves as a direct, discreet link to support resources, crisis hotlines, and information for individuals experiencing domestic violence.
