October is domestic violence awareness month, a time when people of all ages and occupations come together with non-profits, legislators, law givers to express solidarity against domestic violence.
It’s time to PLAY A PART!
Check out events taking place all over Washington DC metro area. Talk, participate, change mindsets.
https://dccadv.org/dvam/dvam-calendar/
READ MORE ABOUT IT
Resource: https://fairygodboss.com/career-topics/national-domestic-violence-awareness-month
Background and history.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month was first held in 1987, the same year as the debut of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline. Two years later, Congress passed Public Law 101-112, officially designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The idea evolved from October 1981’s “Day of Unity,” an event for connecting those who work to end domestic abuse, by the NCADV. The day evolved into a week of activities and awareness campaigns held at the local, state and national levels.
Three key themes were present in these weeks, according to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence:
Mourning those who have died because of domestic violence
Celebrating those who have survived
Connecting those who work to end violence
Now, the first Monday of October is recognized as the Day of Unity.
What is the definition of domestic violence?
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, domestic violence:
includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with or has cohabitated with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction.
3 Reasons to support National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- The problem is far from being solved.
As the numbers show, we have a long way to go to end domestic abuse. Awareness drives action, and a monthlong recognition of the issue at hand helps spur change.
- You can help.
Awareness and support are two ways everyone can get involved with an issue that affects so many people across the U.S. Whether your organization takes part in a larger call to action, or if you decide to take action at an individual level, whether through donations of time or money or something else, it’s essential to consider what you can do to help the cause.
- It’s personal.
With one in three women and one in four men suffering severe abuse from a partner, it’s highly likely that someone in your life has suffered. Educate yourself and others on what resources are in your area, and what the signs of abuse look like and how you can help.
