National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Help raise awareness and end stigma about domestic violence, and most importantly speak up and offer resources to anyone you think may be in an abusive relationship.
Position your brand as a safety advocate by amplifying DV resources, survivor stories, and workplace support programs during October to build trust and corporate social responsibility credibility.
- Share warning signs of abuse and how to safely intervene—position your org as a trusted resource
- Highlight employee assistance programs and workplace safety policies that support survivors
- Partner with DV nonprofits for awareness campaigns and donation matching to drive engagement and goodwill
- Feature survivor testimonials and recovery stories to reduce stigma and encourage help-seeking
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence first started Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1981. Back then, it was a Day Of Unity. However, it quickly evolved into a full week. Then, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month took place in 1987.
There have been some significant moments in society over the years with regard to domestic violence. In 1994, the Violence Against Women Act was passed. This was led by Senator Joe Biden, and it is considered a landmark in our fight against domestic violence. The legislation was put in place to ensure that victims received services and programs and that offenders were held accountable. There are great efforts all around the world in order to reduce domestic violence, but there is still a lot that needs to be done, which is why Domestic Violence Awareness Month is so important.
A lot of people do not realize that they are in an abusive relationship. Here are some of the signs that you could be in an abusive relationship that you need to get out of…
When we talk about raising awareness for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, it’s important that we acknowledge emotional abuse. This is a much bigger problem than a lot of people realize. Just because you don’t have bruises on your skin does not mean you are not being abused. A lot of women and men suffer from emotional abuse, and it is no less destructive. Unfortunately, emotional abuse is often overlooked or minimized, even by those experiencing this.
Emotional abusers look to chip away at your feelings of independence and self-worth. You can end up feeling like you do not have anything without your abusive partner or that there is no way out of your relationship.
Emotional abuse includes verbal abuse. This includes controlling behavior, intimidation, isolation, shaming, blaming, name-calling, and yelling. Abusers who use psychological or emotional abuse will often throw about threats of physical violence, as well as other repercussions if you do not do what they demand.
The scars of emotional abuse run deep, and they are very real! You may assume that physical abuse is a lot worse, as people can end up with physical wounds and send you to the hospital. However, emotional abuse can be just as damaging. Sometimes, it can even be worse. This is why it is important to raise awareness of all types of domestic violence and abuse.
Financial abuse is one of the subtler forms of emotional abuse. Some examples of this include:
Speaking Up If You Think Someone Is Being Abused
If you think that someone you know is being abused, it is important to speak up. A lot of people worry that it is none of their business, yet you could save a person’s life by speaking up. It’s better to speak up, even if you’re wrong, rather than saying nothing at all. Simply talk to the person in private and let them know that you are concerned. Mention the signs and why it has worried you. Tell them that you will honor their privacy if they open up to you, and tell them that you can help them in any way possible. Often, people in domestic relationships need someone to help them out of the situation, and so one conversation can make all of the difference.