Each year, advocates, survivors, and supporters recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).
This fall, the Women’s Center of East Texas (WCET) is partnering with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) and other programs across the country in a national campaign for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).
The goal of these joint initiatives is to continue the national conversation we began in 2021 about domestic violence and how we can all contribute to changing the narrative on this overshadowed, but fundamental topic. We hope to then build on this conversation to increase awareness and prevention efforts, as well as deepen community engagement by strengthening our network across East Texas and connecting our work nationwide.
More prevalent than most realize, one in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes. Annually, the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) publishes the Honoring Texas Victims report, which presents an annual fatality review of victims killed by intimate partners. In 2021, TCFV documented the third highest number of intimate partner homicides in the last decade.
Anyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual identity or orientation, or socio-economic status, can become a victim of domestic violence, and this year’s campaign theme, #Every1KnowsSome1, strives to highlight how common domestic violence is and that it is more than physical violence.
“Many people care and understand that domestic violence is a serious public health problem. They want to do something but believe their actions can’t make a difference,” said Hollie Bruce, Chief Executive Officer at WCET. “It feels overwhelming. But change starts with us. Imagine if all East Texans commit to do one thing to stop domestic violence. We could really see some serious social transformation.”
Throughout October, WCET and NNEDV will be sharing content on their social media channels to help raise awareness and educate the public on the complex dynamics of domestic violence.
A week of action is underway Oct. 17 – 23, 2022 to further engage advocates, partners, and the public in continuing to speak up on this critical issue.
“WCET served almost 500 survivors of abuse and violence in 2021,” added Bruce. “These are our neighbors, our friends, our coworkers. Domestic violence can be prevented. It requires the collective voice and power of everyone – advocates, medical professionals, educators, survivors, researchers, policy makers, law enforcement officers, business owners, students – each whose voice adds a valuable and powerful component to transforming East Texas.”
Remember, free and confidential help is available 24/7. Those seeking help can contact the WCET hotline at 800.441.5555.
To learn more about WCET and ways to support survivors, visit www.wc-et.org.