Purple ribbons with a powerful message have been distributed throughout Okotoks and High River.

Rowan House Society has launched its November campaign to raise awareness about family violence prevention.

Rowan House Society Community Relations Coordinator Ally Cramm says the program is aimed at providing information and encouraging discussion around the issue.

"November is Family Violence Prevention month," Cramm explains. "And being in the line of domestic violence intervention and prevention services, Rowan House takes this opportunity to amp up our work and raise awareness about family violence in the Foothills."

Cramm adds that there is a new component to the annual purple ribbon campaign this year.

"This year, we're also expanding that to include a purple shoelaces campaign called "Lace Up for Rowan House," she says. "And we're just looking to move from a visual statement on the street to something that creates conversation in homes, businesses and schools."

Cramm adds they're hoping people will wear the shoelaces throughout the month of November and post pictures of them on social media with the hashtag #LaceUpForRowanHouse.

"It is our hope that if people see someone wearing these brightly-coloured laces, then they might get asked about them and be able to start a dialogue on why they chose to take a stand against gender-based violence," Cramm explains. "It's really about taking the issue out of secrecy where it thrives and getting the whole community to accept that this is something we all need to work towards changing."

The Rowan House Society's purple shoelaces are available free-of-charge at Sun Country 99.7 and AM 1140 radio stations in High River, while quantities last.