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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
To the Editor:
Each year, October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) across the nation. This fall, The Abuse Network is joining the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) in their national campaign #Every1KnowsSome1 for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). The goal of this initiative is to raise awareness and deepen community engagement to end the stigma and myths surrounding domestic violence.
One in 3 women and 1 in 9 men in the United States are victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner. Despite hotlines across the country receiving 20,000 calls a day, domestic violence is still grossly underreported by at least 50%. Some of the reasons domestic violence is underreported are fear, threats, coercion, and lack of resources. Anyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual identity or orientation, or socio-economic status, can become a victim of domestic violence. Let's engage in conversations about the harsh reality of domestic violence...victims are people you know...family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors.
This year's campaign theme, #Every1KnowsSome1, strives to highlight how common domestic violence is and that it is more than physical violence. Domestic violence is about power and control. Abusers can gain power and control through verbal and emotional abuse, isolation, gaslighting, manipulation, jealousy, and threats, just to name a few of the many types of abuse.
This October, The Abuse Network will add a goose to the Juniata Valley flock to provide a year-round, visual symbol of awareness. Throughout October, check out our social media. We will be sharing content to help raise awareness and educate the public on the complex dynamics of domestic violence. You can join us in the prevention of domestic violence by educating yourself, donating to The Abuse Network or another agency that helps crime victims, or consider volunteering your time to help victims. Everyone can do something to make our community one that does not accept domestic violence.
Locally, The Abuse Network provides confidential, free services to victims of domestic violence including crisis counseling, advocacy and accompaniment for medical and legal appointments, and personal advocacy to assist with getting needed resources. Our agency also works year-round toward ending domestic violence by educating the public to expand knowledge of domestic violence and to increase prevention of this crime. Educational programs concerning domestic violence are free of charge and are offered to schools and professional and civic groups.
Get engaged this October during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and embrace your role in ending this crime of violence because #Every1KnowsSome1.
Please call for further information or services 24-hours-a-day at 1 (888) 810-2444 or (717) 242-2444.
Sincerely,
Rebecca Wills
Public Training Coordinator, The Abuse Network
Lewistown