October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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(ABC 6 News) – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to support survivors and raise awareness on the issue.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence says nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States; that’s more than 10 million people every year.
DVA month is a time for advocacy groups to educate people about this issue and the resources that are available in your community.
“1-in-3 women and 1-in-7 men will become a victim of domestic violence,” says Jeannie Thompson, Director of Youth Programming at the Rochester Women’s Shelter and Support Center. “Even though we’re called the Women’s Shelter and Support Center, we serve everyone. We also shelter male victims of domestic violence and with COVID, we’ve seen more men come forward needing emergency shelter.”
The NCADV says some of the best things you can do is educate yourself on the issue, support local resources, and if a survivor shares their story, listen to them.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to support survivors and raise awareness on the issue, and local advocacy groups are getting involved.
This month, there are also many events being held across our area.
The Rochester women’s shelter is holding multiple events to educate people on how to identify domestic violence, how to support a loved one who’s experienced domestic violence, and a series about why it can be hard to leave an abusive relationship.
“We have a lot of different activities this month, we’re partnering with Olmsted County Domestic Violence Response Team, they’re going to be doing a lunch and learn every Wednesday at noon. And we will be doing several live activities where people can come in person and participate,” says Thompson.
In Mason City, IA, this Friday, the North Iowa Domestic and Sexual Abuse Community Coalition is having its annual “Remember My Name” event, to remember those lost to domestic violence and the impacts their deaths have had on the community.
“Domestic violence impacts every single human being,” says Mary Ingham, Executive Director of Mason City’s Crisis Intervention Center. “In the state of Iowa we know there have been 385 individuals killed in the last several years, and that’s more than a number. Those are lives, forever lost. With each victim, there are countless survivors: moms, dads, brothers, sisters, and children.”
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