The “Purple Walk” 5K of strength for the Domestic Violence Center drew dozens of people to fundraise for the center and address the often clouded issue of physical and emotional abuse.

“We walk for strength,” said Linda Davies, executive director of the Domestic Violence Center. “(We’re here) to support our community, because domestic violence is prevalent in our community, and all walks of life.”

The Domestic Violence Center of Santa Clarita offers shelter and counseling to domestic violence victims, according to their website.

Davies said she first started the event in 2011 because she saw the grimness of domestic violence counseling when she joined the center.

“One of the things we’ve always tried to do at the Domestic Violence Center is have events that are fun, because our topic is sort of depressing for people,” said Davies. “They always feel like ‘oh they don’t want to hear about it.’”

Some of the survivors at the event shared stories of how their loved ones missed the signs of the abuse they suffered. The two women who spoke at the makeshift podium on the Cougar Stadium stairwell explained how raising awareness about the signs of domestic violence is their primary goal for the event.

“Nobody saw the signs that I was tired. Nobody saw any of these signs that I was at that time a victim of domestic violence. Nobody saw that if somebody came and touched me I was terrified,” said Jane Lopez, a survivor who spoke.

“I was actually isolated from my friends, my family,” she added. “You’re literally by yourself.”

Davies and the survivors who participated in the event said they hope that through community outreach, the event will urge more people to donate to center, and more people who are suffering physical and emotional abuse to seek their services.

“When we do these events, more people know about us, more people want to donate to us,” said Davies. “It lessens the shame of domestic violence.”

As Santa Clarita’s only local radio station, KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and sign up for KHTS email and text alerts today!