Residents across the borough are donning the color purple to celebrate Thursday's Go Purple Day.

Go Purple Day is a monthlong initiative to spread awareness about domestic violence and the alarming number of domestic violence cases in the city.

According to the National Coalition against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been victims of some sort of physical violence by their partner. Local advocates want to drastically reduce that number by spreading public awareness.

Over a dozen events took place Thursday in honor of Go Purple Day.

Community members and local advocates handed out fliers on Gun Hill Road about resources that are available for domestic violence victims. 

Councilman Ritchie Torres says his district has seen its fair share, citing more than 23,000 domestic violence incidents last year.

He says his work to reduce that number in his community is a personal mission.

Advocates say domestic violence is not a private matter - it's a community issue to stand up against.