Have You Seen These Pretty Purple Bows Around Texarkana? What Do They Mean?

Have you been seeing these pretty purple bows and ribbons at local businesses around Texarkana? We found out what they mean.

We see different colored ribbons or bows throughout the year bringing awareness to special causes. We know pink ribbons symbolize breast cancer awareness and yellow ribbons are in support of our military, but what about these pretty purple bows?

This time of year you will start to see purple ribbons at businesses around town and it's for good reason too.

The purple-colored bows represent Elder Abuse Awareness. Did you know that the month of June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month and June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day? The Bowie County Adult Protective Services staff is out and about town putting up these purple bows to spread awareness about elderly abuse.

Our elders who are 65 years and older deserve to live safely and be respected. Here's a scary statistic, national research has shown that as many as 1 in 10 older Americans are abused or neglected each year. Even scarier is that is just what is reported. For every case known to programs and agencies, 24 were unknown.

Shelly Shaw with the Bowie County Adult Protective Services Board stated;

In a society that values the just treatment of all people, Elder Abuse Awareness month reminds us that elder abuse has implications for all of us, and so it’s important to find the right solutions to it. Therefore, it is critical that we continue to raise awareness and take steps to prevent it in our communities. Educating the public on the issue and what to do when they suspect abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of an older adult or individuals with disabilities is crucial.

Shaw also wanted to thank all the first responders and judicial partners in our area that are helping protect our elderly and people with disabilities.

Do you suspect elderly abuse? it comes in many forms from physical and mental to neglect and financial exploitation.  Please call 800.252.5400 or www.txabusehotline.org to report Elder Abuse.

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