Today marks the first day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month started out as a “Day of Unity” in 1981. The creation of this day, by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, was to connect all advocates and victims of domestic abuse to end violence against women and children. This day quickly evolved into a week of activities and by October of 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed.
Now, Domestic Violence Awareness Month serves as a time to remember those who have died at the hands of a loved one, honor those who have survived abuse, recognize the progress that has been made in reducing domestic violence, and to recommit to ending this devastating crisis.
While many strides to help end abuse have been made in our country, domestic violence continues to be a pervasive social issue. According to the 2013 National Domestic Violence Awareness Month presidential proclamation, one in four women and one in seven men in the United States still suffer serious physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner at least once during their lifetimes. And every day, three women lose their lives in this country as a result of domestic violence.
If we are going to finally end domestic violence, if we are going to have a generation of children who do not have to live with violence in their home, we need your help and the help of everyone you know.
In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Hubbard House asks that you join in its Go Purple efforts this October to help raise awareness. There are many simple things you can do to show support. For example, by wearing a purple awareness ribbon or a purple item of clothing throughout the month, or on Thursday, October 3, Break the Silence Day. You can also change your Facebook or Twitter profile picture to Hubbard House’s purple ribbon.
To find out other simple activities you can do to Go Purple this Domestic Violence Awareness Month visit our website, www.hubbardhouse.org. You can also join in on the conversation by using the hashtag #igopurple on Facebook or Twitter.
If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship please call the Hubbard House 24-hour Domestic Violence hotline at 904-354-3114 or 800-500-1119. Hubbard House can help.
ABOUT HUBBARD HOUSE: Founded as the first domestic violence shelter in Florida in 1976, Hubbard House is a certified, comprehensive domestic violence center providing programs and services to more than 5,000 women, children, and men annually in Duval and Baker counties. While Hubbard House is most known for its emergency shelter, the agency also provides extensive adult and youth outreach services, school-based education, therapeutic childcare, batterers’ intervention programs, court advocacy and volunteer and community education opportunities. Visit http://www.hubbardhouse.org to learn more.
By: Ashley Johnson Scott