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Originally Posted On: https://thevalleylawgroup.com/blog/domestic-violence-awareness-month/

Raising Awareness for Domestic Violence

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). The Valley Law Group is proud to support area families all year with our compassionate, discreet representation, but we also choose to advocate for victims during this time. To us, the month is a perfect time to focus on raising awareness of what domestic violence is and ways communities and individuals can help fight against it. This is also a time when we come together to mourn people and relationships lost due to domestic violence.

Learn more about domestic violence, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and what you can do to help.

What Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month?

In 1989, Congress declared October the official month for recognizing the struggle against domestic violence.

An important aspect of navigating any type of loss is for individuals and families to share their grief with others who have experienced similar forms of loss. For that reason, Domestic Violence Awareness Month was created not only to raise awareness but also to offer space for those who have been affected by domestic violence to share their voices and their stories.

In 2024, the National Domestic Violence Awareness Project continues to build on the theme of Heal, Hold, and Center. Together, we will open conversation about ways in which we can work together as a community to heal from the devastating effects of domestic violence, commit to holding one another close and with compassion, and work to center our attention on those who are still experiencing the effects of domestic violence today.

History of Domestic Violence Action

Domestic violence is a serious crime. Understanding the history of legal action taken to support those who are victims of domestic abuse is important to understanding how to support today’s victims. In 1978, the first notable step in this direction was taken by the formation of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV).

The same year the Domestic Violence Awareness Month was first observed (1987), the first national domestic violence hotline was also established. Since then, this hotline has helped many victims of domestic violence gather resources and request help efficiently and discreetly.

In recent years, the growing recognition of DVAM has created numerous ways for individuals, families, advocates, and organizations to get involved. While domestic violence is partially a legal issue, it is also a personal issue, especially for those personally affected. DVAM offers us an opportunity to support and advocate for victims and their loved ones compassionately.

About Domestic Violence

Domestic violence can be a somewhat broad term. To understand how to best care and advocate for victims and their loved ones, we must comprehend what exactly this definition includes. Domestic violence is not limited to physical abuse but can also include emotional, sexual, verbal, economic, and psychological abuse within the home. The definition of domestic violence can include many other forms of abuse, even coercion.

Domestic violence is any ongoing harmful behavior in a relationship in which one person gains power and control over the other. Domestic violence can impact any type of person regardless of age, gender, and background. For that reason, domestic violence can occur between spouses, unmarried people in a romantic relationship, ex-partners, family members, and even roommates. However, the most commonly understood type of domestic violence occurs between intimate partners.

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

Intimate partner violence is any form of abuse or harm that happens within an intimate relationship. This includes opposite-sex relationships as well as same-sex relationships. This also includes relationships in which couples are married, dating, and divorced. Intimate partner violence is considered violence, whether it happens once or many times over a long period.

Abuse within an intimate relationship can take many forms.

Some of these include:

• Physical Abuse – Physical abuse is any form of harmful physical contact imposed as a means of gaining control or power. This can include (but is not limited to) hitting, slapping, biting, pushing, hair-pulling, and more.
• Sexual Abuse – Sexual abuse can often happen in intimate relationships; just because you are in a relationship with another person does not automatically mean that you have given your consent in regard to sexual matters. Any form of sexual coercion is considered violence and has the possibility to be reported as such.
• Emotional Abuse – Emotional abuse consists of the attempts of one partner to gain control over another through emotional means, which may include criticism, name-calling, or using words or actions to destroy one’s sense of self-worth. Emotional abuse can be no less harmful than physical abuse and must be recognized for the violence that it is.
• Stalking – Stalking can be considered a form of domestic violence. It includes any form of unwanted repeated attention that incites fear and control over a partner.

Help for Domestic Abuse

If you or someone you know is the victim of any form of domestic abuse, it is important to reach out to get help immediately. Domestic violence is not something that should be taken lightly, as it can turn into a life-altering issue from the earliest stages. Fortunately, discreet resources are more readily available than ever before, and there are many ways to find help without alerting the perpetrator if you are experiencing domestic abuse.

Some of these ways include:

• Emergency Services – If you or a loved one are in immediate, life-threatening danger, you should call 911. This will be the quickest way to ensure that law enforcement can take action to protect you or your loved one.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – This free, confidential service is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Advocates are available to offer tools and resources to help victims of domestic violence, including support, crisis intervention, referrals for education and additional support, and more. Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).
• National Center for Victims of Crime – This is a nonprofit organization that provides resources for victims of domestic violence. They also offer training for professionals and advocates who want to serve those who have been affected by domestic violence.
• Attorney Help – A skilled family law attorney can also help you draft a petition for a protective order designed to prevent the perpetrator from accessing you or your loved one.

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, do not wait to get help. It can often seem scary and overwhelming to reach out for help amid a crisis, but doing so can be life-saving in the long run. Each resource listed above is available to listen and support you or your loved one during this difficult time.

Strategies To Prevent Domestic Violence

There are a variety of ways to prevent domestic violence, most of which are centered around actions that promote positive, safe, and healthy relationships in their early stages. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) created an Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Resource for Action, which is a resource that can help states and communities take steps to stop domestic violence before it has the chance to happen.

Some of the most important steps we can take to prevent domestic violence include the following:

1. Teaching safe and healthy relationship skills. This may look like educating youth on how to be socially and emotionally responsible in relationships as they age. This can also include educational programs for adults who are already in relationships.
2. Engaging people from all walks of life in the prevention process. This can include encouraging men and boys to advocate for those who are experiencing abuse as well as encouraging bystanders and onlookers to be prepared to act when they witness domestic violence.
3. Disrupting developmental pathways that lead to domestic violence. This includes fostering healthy environments with children and their families through home visitations, preschool family education and engagement, and various family programs.
4. Creating protective environments. This can include school environments, workplace environments, and even neighborhood environments. When we create positive outside atmospheres, the hope is to limit negative atmospheres within the home.
5. Strengthening economic conditions of families. One underlying cause of domestic violence can be economic issues. By eliminating this issue for some families, the sources of stress, anger, and other emotions leading to domestic violence may not escalate.
6. Supporting survivors of domestic abuse and others who have been affected. Victims of domestic abuse sometimes come out of harmful situations with little to no support financially, domestically, or emotionally. Creating resources like housing programs, legal protections, treatment, education, and more can help end the cycle of domestic violence.

Supporting the Loved Ones of Domestic Violence Victims

Unfortunately, not all domestic violence victims survive the abuse they endure. Such instances are a heavy, debilitating blow to the loved ones of the victim. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is not only a time to support those who are currently experiencing abuse or have in the past but also to remember those who have lost their lives due to domestic abuse and to support the loved ones they left behind.

One important thing to remember when supporting surviving loved ones is that there are many stages of grief, and they may be experienced over a long period of time. Sometimes, it can be extremely helpful to be a compassionate listener as someone processes their loss.

Another way to support those who have lost loved ones as a result of domestic violence is to advocate and raise awareness for those who are victims now. Those who have experienced loss due to domestic violence often want to take part in raising awareness themselves and having their friends and community join them in that cause can be of great encouragement.

Help From a Qualified Domestic Violence Attorney

If you or a loved one are experiencing domestic violence, it is vital that you reach out for help.

There are many ways a domestic violence attorney can help, some of which include:

• Helping you obtain physical and legal protection from your partner. This can come in the form of a protective order, in which your partner is legally prohibited from having physical contact with you. This type of protection has variations, and an experienced domestic violence attorney can help you determine what would be fitting for your situation.
• Filing for custody of your children. A lawyer can help to ensure not only your safety but the safety of your children as well. Domestic abuse frequently leads to the victim pursuing a divorce if they are married. In such cases, a lawyer can also help you begin and navigate this difficult legal process.
• Filing a personal injury claim. Depending on the severity of your circumstances, you may have medical bills and other expenses as a result of the domestic violence you have experienced. These expenses should not be your responsibility, and a lawyer may be able to help you receive compensation.

How You Can Get Involved: FAQs to Ask Yourself

You can be involved in the movement to end domestic violence in many ways. Everyone has a role to play regardless of their status or experience with domestic violence. Here are just some of the ways you can play your part.

Do You Know the Signs?

Maybe you are not experiencing domestic violence, but there may be someone close to you who is. Victims of domestic violence sometimes attempt to cover up the fact that they are being abused, but the truth often comes out with several subtle signs.

Some signs that someone may be experiencing domestic violence include: 

• Signs of physical markings include bruising, scratches, black eyes, and more
• Clothing that does not fit the weather, such as wearing long sleeves and pants when it is hot outside
• Personality changes such as suddenly acting timid, fearful, or anxious
• Depression

How Can I Raise Public Awareness?

Many public demonstrations take place during the month of October to raise awareness of domestic violence. This may take the form of marches or walks, protests, and more. By participating in these public acts, you can help to draw attention to domestic violence and give a voice to victims who may not be able to speak up for themselves.

How Can I Support Financially?

There are many nonprofit and governmental organizations that provide relief and support to those who have been affected by domestic violence. Victims who must flee situations of domestic violence often do not have many resources from which to begin a new lifestyle and can be in need of housing, food, money, transportation, and more. By financially supporting organizations that provide these things to victims of domestic violence, you can help those individuals get what they need.

Can I Wear Something To Show My Support?

Purple is the official color chosen to represent DVAM. Wearing purple often during this month can open the door for conversations at work and in other public spaces about raising awareness for domestic violence. It can also encourage victims to know that people within their community are actively supporting them during this time.

The Valley Law Group Encourages You to Take Action

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is all about taking action, and that’s something we stand firmly behind here at The Valley Law Group. While we focus on securing legal protections for those experiencing domestic violence, we invite you to join us in other avenues of support, including education, advocacy, supporting victims and loved ones, and more. Together, we can continue to build communities and families who are aware of the dangers of domestic abuse and work alongside one another to end the cycle of violence.

Sources:

1. Awareness Month. Retrieved from https://www.cawc.org/news/the-history-of-domestic-violence-awareness-month/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwooq3BhB3EiwAYqYoEg_OUVRDXfv0ZpYBpub_0MAi91CzwasUD2KXDmz2gdrbPMfY6SDlkRoCuhoQAvD_BwE
2. U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. (n.d.). Domestic violence. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence
3. National Domestic Violence Hotline. (n.d.). The National Domestic Violence Hotline. Retrieved from https://www.thehotline.org/
4. VictimConnect Resource Center. (n.d.). About us. Retrieved from https://victimconnect.org/about-us/
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, March 8). Prevention of intimate partner violence. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/prevention/index.html