Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM): Raising Awareness, Taking Action

By Cheri Harkleroad on September 25, 2024 in Uncategorized

Domestic violence and its many faces — relationship violence, child abuse, gender violence, psychological abuse and more — affect far more people than we can ever know. We work alongside survivors, and those still being abused, with no knowledge of their struggles. We wait in line with them at the grocery store, sit next to them at our children’s sporting events, even celebrate holidays with them. Only when a friend, family member, neighbor or coworker asks for help, or reveals their survivorship, do we get a glimpse of how many people in our own circles are affected by relationship violence.

Break the Cycle reports that over 40% of women in the United States reported experiencing physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, while almost half of all women reported psychological aggression by an intimate partner; roughly ten million U.S. children witness domestic violence each year. Since 1987, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) has brought organizations across the nation together in the month of October to raise greater awareness of both the extent of this violence in our communities, and resources to combat it. And NoSilence NoViolence (NSNV) is no exception.

Awareness into Action

NSNV builds awareness in ways that encourage our community to join with us toward ending domestic violence. We post actionable information on our social media, reach out to organizations to partner with us in supporting our survivors, and collaborate with others to raise awareness and foster community education. From October through next March, the Oceanside Museum of Art in San Diego will feature the exhibit “My Intimate Partner”. This multi-media art exhibition will examine the intersection between intimacy, power, and control which all can lead to issues that trigger abuse. “I was asked to participate in creating a voice script that depicts the insidiousness of emotional abuse as part of this incredible art installation,” says Jessica Yaffa, President of NoSilence NoViolence. “I imagine the exhibit is going to be extremely impactful for all who see it.”

We have also recently increased our outreach to local organizations for grants, securing funding from Costco-San Marcos for back-to-school supplies for our school-aged survivors. Our DVAM efforts continue through the end of the year as we invite our community to attend our fall fundraiser in October, and to participate in our Adopt-a-Family holiday program in mid-December. All monies raised go directly to survivors by supporting legal assistance, counseling services, housing, food and more. We do great work, but can do so much more to turn awareness into action.

How You Can Help

A world without relationship violence may seem impossible. But anyone can help in some way to further our cause, regardless of financial status or free time.

Donate what you can, now

If you think supporting NSNV, or any cause, is not in your budget, know that even $5 can help support our survivors. Plan to donate later? Add the Donate link to your calendar for December 2 to donate to NSNV on Giving Tuesday, and share the hashtag #GivetoDV. Every dollar makes a difference. DONATE

Volunteer a few moments of your time

We are all busy, but you can contribute to our cause with just a few minutes, or a few hours:

Ask family and friends to donate funds

Contact us to help with our fall fundraising event on October 24th

Attend the Oceanside Museum of Art multimedia exhibit opening to learn more about Intimate Partner Violence

If you can make a regular commitment of a few hours a week, we invite you to volunteer. We are currently seeking an Adopt-a-Family Coordinator, and always welcome new members to our Marketing team. VOLUNTEER

Share to make others aware

Ultimately, DVAM is about raising awareness, and like a stone in a pond, you can take one simple step today that will ripple out to make tens, hundreds, or thousands of others more aware of relationship violence — and inspire them toward action. We invite you to share this newsletter with your community; share our social media posts (follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn); and use these hashtags from DV organizations around the nation:

#DVAM to highlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the many efforts of numerous organizations to eradicate relationship abuse
#GivetoDV (NNEDV) to promote giving to NSNV and other DV organizations on Giving Tuesday (December 2) and throughout the year
#Every1KnowsSome1 (NNEDV) to raise awareness of how significant relationship abuse and survivorship are in our own local communities
#1Thing (DVAP) to promote taking one small, simple action toward ending relationship violence