This October will serve as the 24th annual observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). According to the Domestic Violence Awareness Project, DVAM evolved from the “Day of Unity” in October 1981 conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national levels.
DVAM serves as a time to remember those who have died at the hands of a loved one, honor those who have survived domestic violence, recognize the progress that has been made in reducing domestic violence, and to recommit to ending this devastating crisis.
Domestic violence affects individuals of every race, gender, and background. Last year there were 113,378 incidents and more than 200 deaths resulting from domestic violence reported in the state of Florida, with 7,798 of those reports and 10 deaths from Duval County alone.
Hubbard House, in partnership Betty Griffin House, Micah’s Place, Quigley House, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and other Northeast Florida law enforcement agencies, held a press conference yesterday, Sept. 30 announcing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).
The DVAM Press Conference also addressed the need to raise public awareness about domestic violence, the importance of prevention programs, and the effects of domestic violence on children. The press conference also marked the launch of the 2011 Purple Ribbon Campaign, in which members of Northeast Florida law enforcement agencies receive purple ribbon awareness pins to wear during the month of October, in support of efforts to end domestic violence in our communities. Click here to view photos from the 2011 Domestic Violence Awareness Month Press Conference.
Hubbard House, the domestic violence center serving Duval and Baker counties, hopes you will take a few moments to consider the issue and remember those whose lives are affected by it. You can help raise awareness about the prevalence of domestic violence, the need for prevention, and the services that are available to victims and their families by participating in a DVAM activity.
2011 Hubbard House DVAM activities include:
PURPLE RIBBON CAMPAIGN – Oct. 1-31
Northeast Florida law enforcement and other officials will receive purple ribbon pins to wear during the month of October in support of efforts to help end domestic violence in the community. Purple ribbon pins will also be distributed throughout the community at numerous awareness and fundraising events.
Individuals are also encouraged to connect with Hubbard House on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hubbardhouseinc or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hubbardhouse and change their social media profile picture to the Hubbard House Purple Ribbon profile picture to show their support for ending domestic violence.
31n31 – Oct. 1-31
Hubbard House will post on Twitter and Facebook 31 statistics and/or blogs relating to domestic violence for the 31 days in October. Follow the posts to learn about domestic violence and share them with your friends, family, and co-workers to help increase awareness. To receive Domestic Violence Awareness Month 31n31 tweets, posts, and blogs, follow Hubbard House on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hubbardhouse and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hubbardhouseinc.
GO PURPLE DAY – Oct. 5
Go Purple and show your support for ending domestic violence! In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Hubbard House asks the community to Go Purple by wearing a purple item of clothing or a purple ribbon, or by hosting an activity or collection drive to benefit victims of domestic violence.
17th ANNUAL BARBARA ANN CAMPBELL MEMORIAL BREAKFAST – Oct. 5 (7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.)
The 17th Annual Barbara Ann Campbell Memorial Breakfast, presented by Joan Huffman M.D., Mrs. James S. Taylor and the Weaver Family Foundation, will be held Wednesday, Oct. 5, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel. Each year the breakfast is held to honor the lives of those who have survived domestic violence and to remember those who have died at the hands of a loved one. This year’s breakfast will feature a survivor of domestic violence helped by Hubbard House as the keynote speaker. All funds raised from this event support the life-saving programs and services Hubbard House provides to victims of domestic violence and their children. Individual tickets are $30. For reservations or sponsorship information, contact Ashley Johnson Scott at (904) 354-0076 ext. 212 or ascott@hubbardhouse.org.
PIZZA FOR A CAUSE: CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN FUNDRAISER – Oct. 24-25 (11:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.)
Are you looking for an easy and delicious way to support Hubbard House? Join us at California Pizza Kitchen Monday, Oct. 24 or Tuesday, Oct. 25 for a flavorsome fundraising event. All you need to do is bring the flier located on the Hubbard House website, www.hubbardhouse.org/news-events/, and present it to your server when ordering, and California Pizza Kitchen will donate 20% of your total bill to support Hubbard House’s programs and services.
For more information on all Hubbard House Domestic Violence Awareness Month events visit www.hubbardhouse.org or contact Ashley Johnson Scott at (904) 354-0076 ext. 212 or ascott@hubbardhouse.org.
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 6,000 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 www.hubbardhouse.org to learn more.