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Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. It is a time for survivors of abuse, loved ones, advocates, and community to commemorate victims of abuse who have passed, acknowledge progress in addressing the epidemic, and create awareness for resources and allies. The first “Day of Unity” observed in October 1987 evolved into National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in 1989. President Clinton later signed the historic Violence Against Women Act in 1994.
Domestic Violence
The U.S. Office on Violence Against Women Domestic Violence defines domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain control over their partner. Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, can happen to anyone regardless of their age, gender identity, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. This violence can include emotional, economic, physical, psychological, sexual, and technological abuse. This includes any other coercive behaviors, actions, or threats made by someone with the intention of controlling, isolating, intimidating, and/or wounding their partner.
Quick stats
According to the CDC, intimate partner violence is very common. At least 1 in 4 women and about 1 in 10 men have experienced sexual or physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. More than 15 million children in the U.S. grow up in homes where domestic and intimate partner violence has occurred one or more times. In fact, of those who have experienced domestic and intimate partner violence, about 20% of women and 14% of men first experience happened between the ages of 11 and 17 years old. Nearly a quarter of the intimate partner violence cases filed in court were witnessed by children in the home. In Indiana, nearly 43% of women and 28% of men have experienced intimate partner violence or stalking at least once during their lifetime. More than half of all women murdered in the U.S. are killed by a current or former male partner. Survivors of domestic violence experience many barriers that affect their ability to break the cycle of violence and abuse. These barriers and domestic violence surged during and were further impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Call to action
Domestic violence is a public health problem which affects survivors and their family members, friends, community, and co-workers in many ways. Here are some helpful measures you can take:
- Learn more about warning signs for domestic violence in the workplace.
- As a supervisor, learn more about potential ways to support employees experiencing domestic violence. If an employee approaches you for help, you can reach out to your business unit’s HR manager for more information about how to support them and other’s experiencing domestic violence.
- Visit the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence site to learn more about available public health resources.
- Read about how to help and how to be an ally to domestic violence survivors.
Helpful links
- Resources
- Indiana
- The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence hotline phone number (1-800-332-7385) is available 24/7
- Be Well Indiana Domestic Violence Support page
- Indiana 211
- National
- The National Domestic Violence Hotline phone number (800-799-7233) is available 24/7 in English, Spanish and 200+ languages through interpretation services.
- Findhelp.org
- Domestic Violence Resources for Children | The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Creating your own safety plan | Women’s Advocates
- Safety Planning with Children | WomensLaw.org
- Indiana
- Workplace resources
- Recognizing and Responding to Domestic Violence in the Workplace
- How do we help an employee we suspect is the victim of domestic violence? | Society for Human Resource Management
- Helping domestic violence victims |Center for Prevention or Abuse
- How to be an ally to a loved one experiencing domestic violence | Safe & Together Institute
- Statistics
- National statistics violence | National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence in Indiana | National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- DV Awareness Fact Sheet | Office of Family Violence Prevention and Services
- Fast Facts: Preventing Intimate Partner Violence | CDC
- Fast Facts: Preventing Teen Dating Violence | CDC
- Impact
- Adults
- Children
- Overall
- Other resources
Events
- Survivor Celebration | St. Jude House
- Thursday, Oct. 5 | 6 pm CDT
- Lake County Fairgrounds, Crown Point, IN
- Awareness October | YWCA Greater Lafayette
- Friday, Oct. 6 |10 am–noon EDT
- 3101 South Creasy Lane, Lafayette, IN 47905
- Communities Walk Free From Domestic Violence | Center for Women and Families
- Friday, Oct. 6 | 12–1 pm EDT
- Jeffersonville, IN 47130
- Dining To Defeat Domestic Violence| Council of Domestic Abuse
- Saturday, Oct. 7 8 am–5 pm EDT
- 1101 S. 13th St, Terre Haute, IN 47802
- Chalk it Up | YWCA Northeast Indiana
- Wednesday, Oct. 11 | 11 am–2 pm EDT
- 816 Calhoun St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
- A Call to Guardsmen Training | Indiana National Guard
- Tuesday, Oct. 17 | 10 am
- 2002 S Holt Rd., Indianapolis, Indiana, 46241
- Walk Against Domestic Violence | Paula’s Saving Grace
- Saturday, Oct. 21 | noon–2 pm EDT
- 801 West Washington Street Indianapolis, IN 46204
- Dynamics of Domestic Violence Webinar | Indiana National Guard
- Wednesday, Nov. 1, 10–11:30 am
- Empowerment Across Identities: An LGBTQIA+ Focused Domestic Violence Summit | Domestic Violence Network
- Wednesday, Nov. 8 | 10 am–2:30 pm EDT
- 609 E 29th St, Indianapolis, IN 46205