October 1st marks the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM); which is nationally recognized to honor survivors, empower those currently experiencing abuse, and remember those who have lost their battle against domestic violence. This month provides an opportunity for communities around the world to unite and join the effort to bring an end to domestic violence.
Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. The abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person; including any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone.* Domestic violence is a type of violence that impacts so many individuals, but especially women.
Nationally one in four women are beaten or raped by a partner during adulthood** and three women are killed by a current or former intimate parter on average each day in America.*** These figures blow my mind and I know that I am not alone.