Domestic Violence Awareness Month

By: Savannah Young

Edited By: Aiesha Patel

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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). It was launched nationwide in October of 1987. This was a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working with domestic violence issues, while at the same time raising awareness for them. Domestic violence is a serious topic, and setting aside the entire month of October gives time for survivors of such traumatic events to not feel alone.

Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain and/or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. It is not only physical violence, but also emotional, sexual, economic, and psychological actions or threats as well. Some questions from un.org you may want to ask yourself if you believe you are a victim of domestic violence are:

1. Does your partner make you feel unable to answer questions?

2. Do they push, pinch, grab, shove or hit you?

3. Do they make you feel there is no way out of the relationship?

4. Are you scared of how your partner may behave or react to something you do or say?

5. Do they use alcohol or drugs as an excuse for how they treat you?

It is hard to get out of relationships with such terrible violence, especially once you get attached. But, domestic violence can get to the point where it could ultimately lead to death. No person is worth degrading yourself in order to be “loved” by them. Help your friends, family, or anyone you know who is, or might be, a victim of domestic violence find the help that they need, including yourself. To get help, call 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224.