Windsor Minor Hockey goes purple for women abuse prevention

Streaks of purple zipped by in pursuit of the puck.

Young hockey players took to the ice on Sunday, Nov. 3 at Forest Glade Arena with their hockey sticks wrapped in purple tape, a colour that symbolizes courage. This is the sixth year the Windsor Minor Hockey League participated in Purple Tape Day, an event created to raise awareness during Women Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. 

“All month long we ask the City of Windsor, and really the province of Ontario, to go purple,” said Karry Plaskitt, coordinator of the Shine the Light on Women Abuse campaign in Windsor. “Just as a symbol of courage for victims of abuse and for survivors to know that we do support them and their journey to a violence free life.”

Plaskitt said Purple Tape Day is about educating the youth about domestic violence, a topic she said is still often pushed under the rug.

Since 2010, Shine the Light has been raising awareness in communities across Ontario about domestic violence and its impact on society. On Nov. 3, Shine the Light sold purple scarves, hats, and mittens at Forest Glade Arena. All profits were donated to Hiatus House, a social service agency that provides intervention and shelter to victims of domestic violence in Windsor.

According to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, approximately one Canadian woman is killed by her intimate partner every six days. More than 6,000 women and children sleep in shelters on any given night because it is not safe at home. 

Anita Prskalo, a residential counsellor at Hiatus House, works on the front line offering support to women who have escaped abuse. She is also a survivor of domestic violence.

“I was so scared to air out my dirty laundry, so to speak,” said Prskalo, who said the stigma surrounding domestic violence is what kept her from seeking help for so long. “That really muzzled me.”

Prskalo said events like Purple Tape Day start conversations that challenge the stigma. She said it is especially important to spread the awareness among young boys. 

“Hockey is a male-dominated sport, so you have a lot of male youth, even dads coming in,” said Prskalo. “It creates this space where it’s okay to approach the table and talk about something that would maybe typically make them feel uncomfortable to talk about, because it’s gender related.”

Xander Hayward, along with his hockey team, Mont’s On Time Express, wrapped his hockey stick with purple tape.

Although his team lost their game, Hayward said he felt good going purple and standing up in solidarity for women abuse prevention. 

The annual Women Abuse Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place in Charles Clark Square at 6 p.m. Nov. 4. Prskalo will say a speech as this year’s honouree.