Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: October, 2021: Domestic Violence Awareness Month which doesn’t just happen in October but every single day of every sing year someone faces Domestic Violence and this may never stop.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was launched Nationwide in October 1987. Domestic Awareness Month is a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues. Raising awareness for those issues. Over the past 30+ years, progress has been made to support domestic violence victims and survivors, holding abusers accountable. Also, creating and updating legislation to further those goals.
Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. Physical violence is often accompanied by emotionally abusive and controlling behavior as part of a much larger, systematic pattern of dominance and control. Domestic violence can result in physical injury, psychological trauma, or death. The devastating consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.
Although there has been substantial progress in reducing domestic violence, an average of 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute. This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually. 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have been physically abused by an intimate partner, and 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been severely physically abused by an intimate partner. Millions of Americans live daily, in silent fear within their own homes. In addition, every year millions of children are exposed to domestic violence. Domestic violence incidents affect every person within a home. It can have long-lasting negative effects on a child’s emotional well-being, social or academic functioning.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has compiled a list of helpful resources for parents and caregivers, children and teens, mental health providers, child welfare workers, law enforcement professionals, educators and school staff, and policy makers.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
