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Purple Thursday x 7

CRP Addressing Intimate Partner Violence Related Brain Injuries

Sep 24, 2025 | 9:03 AM

This year, the Canadian Royal Purple and its partners are introducing Purple Thursday x 7, an entire week of activities across Canada bringing recognition to the intersection of intimate partner violence and the resulting brain injuries.

2025 will mark the fourth CRPS Purple Thursday Care Bag campaign when over 5000 Purple Care Bags will be delivered to Canadian shelters. The bags contain the essentials for the women, children and men who have, often, left home with nothing.

“Our Purple Care Bag campaign and education have been so successful, one day was no longer enough,” says Sandi Lougheed, chair of the Canadian Royal Purple’s Charitable Initiatives Committee. ‘Now, the seven days include a media day, two education days, two days of local activity and a Sunday of High Teas across Canada raising funds and awareness to support prevention.”

The total number of “family beds” serving women and children escaping domestic violence has steadily increased since 2020. Nearly 20,000 people spend their nights in shelters.

“Our efforts haven’t changed the statistics: one in three women are still experiencing intimate partner violence. Of those, one in eight will have suffered a brain injury from physical force or strangulation”, says Lougheed. “What has changed is that more of these women and children are seeking assistance, filling Canada’s shelters. We are pleased to see the effects of awareness empowering women to break the cycle of violence and seek a new life. It’s why we emphasize awareness and prevention. These brain injuries are 100 percent preventable if we stop the violence.”

“This week involves many partnerships – the Canadian Centre for IPV-BI, Canadian researchers, the Canadian Brain Injury Association, Shelter Canada, shelters and many grassroots people in Canadian communities.”, concludes Lougheed. “Locally, people can get involved by wearing purple, donating to the local Care Bags, putting out the new lawn signs, supporting the online auction, putting up posters and banners, and making a statement.”