October is nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a crucial time to get educated, raise awareness, and support survivors! Although November is quickly approaching, that doesn’t mean that the experiences of so many men and women across the world become less significant.
Every minute in the United States, 20 individuals are physically assaulted by a partner. That’s more than 10 million men and women being attacked every year. With domestic violence touching the lives of so many, not only at home but on campus, it’s time to raise awareness and rally for change. Here are 6 steps you can take this month (and all year long) to prevent intimate partner violence and stand up to abuse:
1. Recognize the signs and get educated.
- Reading up on what constitutes dating violence is the first step in the process of offering a helping hand. Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence (IPV), is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship.
- Click here to find the signs of IPV.
2. Donate or volunteer at a local domestic violence shelter.
- Giving back to the community is an excellent way to get involved and aid those who need it most. Several shelters in DC such as My Sister’s Place, Futures Without Violence, and DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence are excellent places to start. Be there for those who need it most!
3. Talk about it!
- Silence kills. Spreading awareness is key when it comes to sensitive issues such as intimate partner violence. Unfortunately, this tends to be a topic that isn’t talked about nearly enough.
4. Call local legislators.
- Do your research and support legislation that will work towards eliminating domestic violence! Local government is the ideal place to start when implementing change, so make your voice heard. Don’t be afraid to write or call legislators letting them know your stance against intimate partner violence.
5. Share your story if you feel comfortable.
- If you feel safe, sharing your story will create monumental change by creating a conversation and relationship between individuals who have been through similar experiences. Having discussions surrounding domestic violence can allow for community building, but more importantly, it’s a step towards recognizing how important of an issue this is.
6. Listen and support survivors.
- Always keep an open mind when talking to survivors and make sure they feel safe when expressing their concerns. Offering support and love to those affected could make all the difference.
Always remember this: you’re not alone, it’s not your fault, and help is always available. Here is a list of resources to contact:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800−799−7233
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800–656–4673
- My Sister’s Place: 202–429–5991
- Becky’s Fund: 724–518–1169