BALLSTON SPA - Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy, III  that the DA's Office is turning Saratoga County purple over domestic violence as October is Domestic Violence Awareness month.  Murphy who serves on the NYS Domestic Violence Advisory Board, appointed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, asks, "How can we work together to raise awareness of domestic violence? By “Shining a Light” on the subject and bringing it out of the darkness! "

“Shine the Light on Domestic Violence” is a campaign that connects communities across New York by turning the state purple during October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

This is the fifth year of the campaign, coordinated by the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence

Not only is the DA's Office wearing purple as a symbolic gesture to bring about awareness to domestic violence, but the DA has been speaking to students in area schools about bullying and its inter-relationship to DV and how both play a role in relationships between girlfriends, boyfriends, and parents as part of Domestic Violence and Bullying Awareness Month.  He recently spoke to nearly 2,500 middle school students and also participated in a panel discussion on the film "Bully" shown by the Saratoga Film Forum at the Saratoga Arts Council. 

"Domestic violence, bullying, sexual harassment, and alcohol abuse often go hand-in-hand”, Murphy said.   “We're seeing that kids who learn to bully often grow up to commit acts of spousal abuse and domestic violence.  Kids who torture and hurt pets, go on to do the same to humans.  We used to think these behaviors occurred by themselves, now we are seeing they occur simultaneously across the spectrum.  Unfortunately, the media seems to be the main influence which has caused the erosion of standard of civility and respect with our youth."