Why Domestic Violence Awareness Month Makes a Difference: written by the Education and Outreach Coordinator - Maira Rodriguez

Keeping their memory alive with love and light.

Somewhere, a small child gathers the broken pieces of a dinner plate from the kitchen floor after watching it be carelessly and savagely ripped from their mother’s hands.

Somewhere, a young boy stands defiantly, fists clenched, afraid that his father’s next blow, meant for his mother, might land on him instead.

Somewhere, a high school sophomore stays up late, wondering what he could have possibly done wrong this time to provoke his girlfriend’s relentless anger.

Somewhere, someone has learned to believe that all love hurts, but hopes that maybe, just maybe, they will get it right one day.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is here once again. Observed every October across the United States, DVAM serves as a reminder that domestic violence affects individuals, families, and communities in ways that are often unseen. While the themes may change from year to year, the mission remains the same: to remind survivors that they are not alone and that help is available. Organizations like Tu Casa, Inc. are here to help.

This year’s campaign themes, “Every1 Knows Some1” and “Survivors Deserve Action,” remind us that domestic violence is closer to home than many people realize and that awareness must be accompanied by action.

Although this work is done year round at our office, October has become the month to ramp up our work and community outreach efforts. The month is packed with tabling at events intended to educate the public about our services. It's also a great way to get valuable, and often life changing information, such as contact information to DV shelters such as our own, out into the community. 

DVAM is also a time to highlight the history of domestic violence awareness, share important statistics, and create space for survivors to share their stories of hardship, healing, and survival. It is the time of year when we gather for our Light Up the Night event to commemorate those who have lost their lives to domestic violence and shine a light of hope for those who may still be navigating an abusive relationship.

DVAM also creates opportunities for our Education and Outreach Coordinator to visit schools and teach young people how to recognize unhealthy relationships early. These conversations help break the silence that so often surrounds abuse, and encourage young people to understand what healthy relationships should look and feel like.

We use DVAM as a reminder to our communities that silence and looking the other way will not make domestic violence disappear. Denial will not protect us from it, and believing that it only happens to other people will not make us immune. Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or circumstances. Recognizing this reality is an important step toward prevention and change.

Here at Tu Casa, Inc. we understand that there is much more to helping survivors than passing out purple swag at events and resharing Facebook posts about DV. As the frontline workers dealing with these issues on a daily basis, we want to educate the community on what safety plans look like and what to do if someone needs legal advice, or help filling out paper work. We know how to encourage survivors to regain their independence and to make their own choices.

Here are a few meaningful ways you can help:

• Learn how to offer safe support. If someone experiencing abuse needs to contact a domestic violence shelter or law enforcement, consider whether they could safely use your phone or another device. Technology can be monitored by an abusive partner, so always consider the survivor’s safety and preferences before offering assistance.
  
  
• Help someone explore a safety plan. If a survivor is considering leaving an abusive relationship, encourage them to connect with one of our advocates.
  
  
• Share important resources. Keep Tu Casa, Inc.’s number 719-589-2465, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233, accessible. 
  
  
• Donations help organizations like Tu Casa, Inc. provide direct support. 
  
  

There is so much each of us can do to help, and it is always the right time to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.

At Tu Casa, Inc., we are deeply grateful to our community for its unwavering support, to our partners who consistently show up for survivors and help meet needs beyond what we can provide, and to everyone who continues to stay informed, engaged, and connected to our work.

Thank you for standing with survivors. Thank you for helping us build a community rooted in awareness, prevention, and action.

Domestic violence awareness does not end in October. Neither does our commitment to survivors.