How Can You Help During Domestic Violence Awareness Month

This October marks the 30th anniversary of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but the issues obviously date much farther back. One in three women - and 1 in 4 men - face some form of violence by an intimate partner during their lifetimes, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Domestic violence can happen in any neighborhood, income level, or background and manifests its self in a variety of ways. Domestic violence is incredibly complex; yet one commonality that remains the same is that in relationships in which domestic violence is occurring, one person desires to control another emotionally, physically, financially, or otherwise.

1.Join the #MoveToEndDV ambassadors program. Ambassadors reach out to local domestic violence shelters and ask them for a wish list of goods and services they need, then connect with local businesses that might be able to fill the wish list.

2.If you run a business, pledge your time, money, products or services in the #MoveToEndDV business program.

3.Know what to do. If a friend or loved one is being abused support them even if they make choices you don’t agree with. Don’t insist that they leave their partner, but help them develop a safety plan. Take a minute to read through this list of 25 ways you can help.

4.Host a candlelight vigil in your community to honor survivors and victims of domestic violence.

5.Work with a local animal shelter to encourage people in the community to foster pets for survivors who need temporary pet care.

Read more tips here!