Domestic Violence Awareness Month

By: Kathy Branning, MS, LCSW, LCPC, CCM, CADC- VP of Marketing & Fund Development

The month of October is designated as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month”.  The goals of “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” are to create awareness about preventing domestic abuse and by supporting those who have experienced it.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month was launched nationwide in October 1987 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues while raising awareness of those issues.

Domestic Violence awareness is associated with the color purple.  The domestic awareness symbol is a purple ribbon.  The purple ribbon is considered to be a unifying symbol of courage, survival, honor and dedication to ending domestic violence.  People across the country wear everything from purple shirts and ribbons to nail polish and hair color in honor of this designated month.

Ways to raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence include –

• Educate Yourself.  Knowledge is power.

• Learn the signs of abuse and how you can help.

• Speak up!  Domestic and sexual violence are silent epidemics that thrive in environments of secrecy and shame.

• Listen and believe survivors.

• Teach the next generation and learn from them. 

• Start a conversation.

• Donate to a local domestic violence shelter.

• Wear a purple ribbon to support Domestic Violence Awareness month on a purple item of clothing such as a t-shirt, cap, wristband or purple pin.

• ·Volunteer or participate in a domestic violence awareness event.

Remedies Renewing Lives provides a 62 bed emergency shelter for Domestic Violence Survivors.  Remedies also provides a 24 hour emergency hotline, transitional housing, advocacy based individual and group counseling, individual therapy and assistance in obtaining an order of protection.  

Remedies Renewing Lives is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of anyone who utilizes our services.  There is no charge for any domestic violence service.

                                                24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline

                                                                 815 962-6102