October is not only the month for creating awareness of the importance of breast cancer early testing, but also of domestic violence, since the Working Against Violence Inc. declared it.
Several efforts throughout the country have been announced to honor this month. For instance, WAVI has asked to wear purple every Friday to raise awareness of the issue and participate in many activities that will be carried out during this month.
According to a report from the Willow Domestic Violence Center, there were over 4,700 reports of domestic violence made in 2014. In Rochester, New York, the report rate is two and a half times more than the statewide rate.
“I am excited about the fact that in the city of Rochester and in the county of Monroe, good people are no longer sitting silent,” said Mayor Warren in a press release, adding that speaking out is the greatest tool against domestic violence.
On the other hand, the Family Violence Prevention Center in Green County, Ohio, has coordinated a campaign to raise awareness locally by hanging dozens of purple ribbons (the cause’s color) tagged with Greene County’s Hotline numbers as well as Montgomery County’s Crisis Hotline.
“October may be National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but it is important to remember that domestic violence happens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year,” a release from the center stated. “So be aware of it all the time. There are always activities and programs available year-round.”
In Philadelphia, Lutheran Settlement House organized a rally in Love Park, in order to pull men as allies in the fight against domestic violence.
“It was founded to help immigrants when they moved into the Northeast part of Philadelphia, but it has four major missions now and one of them is attacking domestic violence and trying to end it,” said a spokesperson of the Lutheran Settlement House in a release.
The Arizona state capitol dome will also turn purple between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on October 1, and Arizonans are asked to join the effort by lighting their homes with purple lights as well. Home Depot has been selling purple light bulbs at all Arizona states and will donate a portion of the money to support domestic violence prevention.
“Domestic violence is a pervasive problem that affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men in Arizona, and stands in direct opposition to our No. 1 priority of protecting Arizona families and communities,” said Governor Ducey in a statement. “This is an issue that affects all ages, races, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. As Arizonans, we all have a responsibility to know the signs, to help the victimized and vulnerable and to speak out against it whenever we can. I encourage Arizonans to stand with me as we send the unwavering message that domestic violence can stop.”
Some numbers on the issue
According to The National Domestic Violence Hotline, Intimate Partner Violence affects more than 12 million people each year. Half of all women and men in the US, 48.4 percent and 48.8 percent respectively, have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Moreover, one in four women and one in seven men, aged 18 or older, have been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
Source: Xenia Gazette