The month of October is set aside for Domestic Violence Awareness. Yes, it is also unfortunately Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which draws a lot of attention away from DV awareness. Lets not let that stop us my friends!! Women in the US have a 1 in 8 chance of getting breast cancer but a 1 in 4 chance of having domestic violence in their lifetime.
What can we do to make our society more aware of the dangers domestic violence presents? Here are some ideas:
-
Find your nearest DV crisis center and ask them how you can help them. To find a program or shelter near you go to https://www.domesticshelters.org/ You might:
- get family and friends together to collect items they need like travel size toiletries, clothes for women and children and/or children’s toys.
- train to be a DV advocate – many centers will offer training for free
- volunteer – you could work at their 24 hour call center, in their office or at their clothes bank.
-
Ask your boss or pastor to offer a DV training for your fellow employees or church members
The next several ideas are from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV):
- Organize a vigil and a moment of silence on October 1st at 11am EST to remember the victims of domestic violence.
- Take a selfie or group photo and share why and how you are standing up against domestic violence.
- Share what you have already done or are doing to stop domestic violence on our Facebook wall or post to your own social media with our hashtags #NCADV # #takeastand #STANDwithNCADV.
- Contact your local media and lawmakers by calling, emailing or sending them a letter asking them to be aware and work for change.
- Collect cellphones and start a cellphone recycling drive for free.
- Wear Purple and tell everyone why!
- Mobilize your network and hold your own event. Use these resources. Then, share your event with NCADV on social media using these hashtags #tasncadv #takeastand #STANDwithNCADV. Send us your event information (when, where, date, time, and link) and we will post it to our national event listing page.
- Donate online to NCADV.org or at Mobile Cause by texting #takeastand to 41444 to help give domestic violence victims a voice!
- Buy Take A Stand, NCADV and No More products to show what you stand for.
- Become an NCADV member and take a stand against domestic violence with us!
Psalm 140:12 says:
I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor
and upholds the cause of the needy.
