What is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)?
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) has been fighting domestic violence since 1978. In addition to advocating for policy change, they also educate the public about this issue and work to raise awareness.
DVAM developed from the ‘Day of Unity’ in October 1981, an event held by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In October 2004, the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Coalition was formed to provide leadership and coordination for the national observance. The Coalition comprises a diverse group of organizations representing survivors, advocates, professionals, faith leaders, educators, and others committed to ending domestic violence.
Their mission is to promote change in the conditions that lead to domestic violence such as patriarchy, privilege, racism, sexism, and classism. They are dedicated to supporting survivors and advocates while holding offenders accountable.
How can you get involved in DVAM activities and events in your community or online?
There are many ways to get involved in DVAM activities and events. Here are some ideas:
- Share DVAM-related information and resources with your friends, family, and networks.
- Attend or participate in a DVAM event in your community.
- Make a donation to a local domestic violence shelter or program.
- Volunteer your time or professional skills to a local domestic violence organization.
- Educate yourself and others about the issue of domestic violence.
- Advocate for policies and legislation that support survivors of domestic violence and hold abusers accountable.
How can you support survivors of domestic violence?
There are many ways to support survivors of domestic violence. Here are some ideas:
- Believe survivors when they disclose their experiences.
- Respect survivors’ decisions about whether, when, and how to talk about their experiences.
- Offer practical and emotional support, but do not pressure survivors to take any particular course of action.
- Refer survivors to local domestic violence shelters and programs, or national hotlines like the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233).
- Encourage survivors to develop a support system of friends, family, or other trusted individuals.
- Educate yourself and others about the issue of domestic violence.
The Iceberg of Domestic Violence
One of the most dangerous and insidious truths about domestic violence is it’s easy to ignore if it’s not visible. Similar to an iceberg, there’s a lot more than what is visible above the surface, and that’s true for individuals, communities, and cultures. In the depiction below, NCADV has listed outward acts that society doesn’t accept, where survivors are supported and the offenders are held accountable. Ask yourself: WHY don’t we do the same with acts found below the water’s surface?
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN FLORIDA
• 37.9% of Florida women and 29.3% of Florida men experience intimate partner dating violence, intimate partner sexual violence and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes.
• In 2019, 105,298 domestic violence incidents were reported to police in Florida. Many more incidents went unreported.
• In 2019, 221 Floridians were killed in domestic violence incidents. 42% of these murders were committed with firearms.
• In one day in 2019, Florida domestic violence shelters and programs served 3005 adults and children; an additional 172 requests for services were unmet due to a lack of resources.
• An estimated 721,000 Florida women have experienced stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetimes.
• As of December 31, 2019, Florida had submitted 248 misdemeanor domestic violence and five active protective order records to the NICS Index.
Break down the Stigma.
It’s not just women
Men can be victims, too. In fact, 1 in 4 men will experience some form of domestic violence in their lifetime. 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking with impacts such as injury, fearfulness, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
It’s not just physical
Domestic violence is not just physical abuse. It can also take the form of emotional, financial, sexual, or psychological abuse.
It’s not just adults
Children can also be victims of domestic violence. 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence.
It’s not just heterosexual couples
Domestic violence does not discriminate and can affect individuals of all sexual orientations and genders, not just heterosexuals. Intimate partner violence within the LGBTQ community occurs just as frequently, if not more often than it does in the heterosexual population. There are also unique forms of intimate partner violence that members of the LGBTQ community may experience. Furthermore, there can be distinctive barriers to seeking help for this type of abuse due to a fear of discrimination or bias against them.
Join The Fight
If you want to contribute to the fight against domestic violence, there are many things you can do. NCADV envisions a country where everyone is safe and free from such abuse. Here are some ways to help make that happen:
- Contact Congress using NCADV’s Action Alerts
- Sign up for NCADV Emails
- Follow NCADV on Social Media
These blog posts will teach you how to effectively lobby on behalf of domestic violence victims and survivors!
Lobbying for Domestic Victims and Survivors
Choose what information you’d like to receive:
- Annual Conference
- General News and Information
- Public Policy Emails and Action Alerts
- Webinars, Trainings and Events
Other helpful links:
