While October is designated National Domestic Violenc Awareness Month, in light of recent events, it’s become more challenging to remain neutral on the topic. Of course, this is not a new issue and has been plaguing our society for decades. However, the subject still begs for understanding. If we are the incredibly talented human beings who create and witness amazing feats in technology, biology, and business everyday, why is it so difficult to solve an issue that so obviously affects us all?
How can we all participate in the conversation and offer assistance to those in need of immediate help? Listed below are the top three ways to get involved today.
1. Get Educated – Learn the signs of abuse and train yourself to pick up on these behaviors in those with whom you choose to be intimate. Websites like the National Domestic Violence Hotline are extremely helpful in providing information. Also, just as important as it is to learn to recognize the negative behaviors, be proactive about learning the behaviors of a healthy relationship as well.
2. Make Your Opinion Valid By Donating Time and/or Money To Local Support Organizations – Although October is the designated month for domestic violence awareness, it is a topic that should always be top of mind. According to the Illinois Coalition against Domestic Violence, “the number of adult survivors to whom they have provided shelter has decreased by close to 18 percent over the last six years and in 2013 alone, over 10,000 adults and children seeking shelter were turned away due to lack of resources.”
3. If you, or someone you know, is a victim of domestic violence, please call the National Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224
Natalie King, Ph.D., is a senior researcher at Liautaud Institute.
