Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

While we at Safe Havens think that every month is a good time to raise awareness about domestic violence, October is officially Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). DVAM evolved from the “Day of Unity” in October 1981 observed by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week, and in 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed.

We hope you will join Safe Havens in raising awareness; promoting a better understanding of domestic abuse and how it affects individuals as well as entire communities; and letting people know that there are services available and open to support them. The more that survivors hear from people in their communities, faith-based or otherwise, that abuse of any kind is unacceptable and that there is help, the more likely they will speak up and reach out. We all have a critical role to play in supporting survivors of abuse, so the more we learn, the more we can help.

You, and your congregation, can raise awareness by:

• Participating in a virtual or in-person event

• Taking a pledge against domestic and sexual violence and elder abuse

• Posting on social media

• Wear a purple ribbon

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For more great ideas on raising awareness, check out the 2022 Week of Action from the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV).