October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness about domestic violence, support survivors, promote prevention efforts, encourage early intervention, and offer support to those affected.

Domestic violence can happen to nearly anyone, as one in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence during their lifetime. Certain groups will experience domestic violence at higher rates than others, such as Black women at 2.5 times higher than that of white women, and Indigenous women, who experience the highest rates of domestic violence, at five times that of white women.

Domestic violence has severe and long-lasting physical, emotional, and psychological consequences on victims and their communities, and through education, advocacy, and community engagement, we can promote awareness and change attitudes towards domestic violence, ultimately creating a safer and more supportive environment for survivors.

The Council supports federal, state, and local initiatives that allocate more resources, funding, and aid for programs and strategies that address domestic violence.