October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month occurs every October. It started from the Day of Unity in 1981 as a way to connect organizations fighting to end domestic violence.
In 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was established alongside the first toll-free hotline for those experiencing abuse.
Thursday, October 17, is “Go Purple Day," a national day of action where everyone is encouraged to wear purple to honor victims of domestic violence as well as raise awareness.
Domestic violence can be experienced in many different forms, from emotional to physical or even online. According to the Texas Advocacy Project, it’s defined as the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats, economic and emotional abuse.
In fact, one in three Texans will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.
The truth about domestic violence and younger generations
But what is often not talked about is domestic violence among young people. Girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 24 years old experience the highest rate of domestic violence – almost triple the national average. Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year, and nearly half of college women report experiencing violent and abusive dating behavior.
Most college students say they're not equipped to handle abusive situations or weren't able to recognize the signs while they were in the relationship, especially in emotional abuse situtations. Young adults who experience abuse typically are more likely to enter into another domestic violence relationship later in life.
This is why education early on is key. By spreading information about signs to look for, reasons it’s important to report abusive behavior and talking to our kids about harmful relationships, we can help lower the risk.
Recognizing the signs of abuse and offering education
Emotional abuse is typically hard to recognize while in a relationship. According to the Strong Hearts Hotline, emotional abuse can look like someone who
- Constantly calls you hurtful or degrading names, insults you or criticizes you
- Acts extremely jealous or possessive of you
- Humiliates you in any way, or shames you
- Isolates you from your family, friends or community
- Blocks you from making new friends or joining social groups
- Ignores your presence for several hours, days or weeks
- Refuses to listen, speak or respond to you (ex. silent treatment)
- Explodes in anger toward you or is constantly angry at everything you do
- Calls you “crazy,” “too sensitive,” or denies abuse is happening when confronted (ex. gaslighting)
Finding your footing after experiencing domestic violence
At Buckner International, we encounter many who come out of domestic violence situations. It can be isolating and confusing to figure out next steps, especially if you have children.
For Angela, she never let it hold her back. Through Buckner Family Pathways® in Dallas, she rebuilt her confidence and transformed her life for her family.
Family Pathways is designed to help single parents who are pursuing their education and need to care for their children while determining next steps for their family’s future. It is an education-focused program that helps protect families from domestic abuse, financial uncertainty, homelessness and hopelessness.
And women like Vanessa, who found her way forward through the Buckner Family Hope Center® program in Houston, and was able to transform her and her family's future after experiencing abuse. Vanessa came to the Family Hope Center in 2020 and immediately plugged into the services available. She attended counseling with our in-house counselors, participated in family coaching and attended parenting classes.
The Family Hope Center provides families with critical services, aid and coaching to keep them strong, and helps decrease the likelihood of abuse, neglect and removal of children.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence in any form, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or text START to 88788.
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