By now everybody knows that a pink ribbon stands for breast cancer awareness.

The Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women hopes to raise the same level of awareness for domestic violence, specifically homicides, through its Live Free Without Violence flag campaign.

Since its start almost a year ago, more than 100 groups, government entities, shops and individuals have signed up.

Each member agrees to display a flag, banner or yard sign for one week each time the coalition sends an e-mail about a new domestic homicide.

The coalition notified flag members Wednesday about the latest two: Dorothy Reed, 24, of West St. Paul, who was strangled Aug. 10, allegedly by her live-in boyfriend after she tried to break off the relationship. Richard Baity, 41, of Ogema, Minn., was strangled Aug. 15, allegedly by his girlfriend.

The coalition puts out an annual Femicide Report on domestic homicides in Minnesota. Most years there are 20 to 30. In 2013, there were 38.

Reed and Baity are two of the 12 in the coalition's preliminary count so far this year. But the group is still waiting to learn more about another 18 cases, said executive director Liz Richards.

Richards said she hopes the colorful flags, banners and signs will spur conversations about domestic violence among neighbors, friends, church members and co-workers.

She said people can also pull images of the flags from the coalition's Facebook page and post it to their social media.

"It's not just a law enforcement issue, it's a community-wide issue," Richards said.

Only about one in five women being abused reach out for help, she said.

"It's not about the perpetrator and even the crime, it's about honoring the memories of those who were lost," said Safia Lovett, a program manager at the coalition.

Hamline University in St. Paul is the first educational institution to join the campaign. The coalition hopes there will be others.

To participate or for more information: http://tinyurl.com/mtuosmv or call Becky Smith at 651-646-6177, ext. 15.