First observed in October 1987, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is focused on three key themes:
- mourning those who have died because of domestic violence,
- celebrating those who have survived,
- and connecting those who work to end violence.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October 1981, conceived of by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence to connect advocates across the country in their mission to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity is still celebrated on the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
- Wear a purple ribbon to raise awareness about domestic violence. This is a fun and easy way to participate in Domestic Violence Awareness Month and start conversations with your friends and family.
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If you are in immediate danger, please:
- Call 911.
- Contact your local hotline.
- Contact a national hotline:
- Call the U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or TTY 1-800-787-3224.
- Call, text or chat Love Is Respect—the U.S. National Teen Dating Violence Helpline: 1-866-331-9474 or TTY 1-866-331-8453, text “loveis” to 77054 or live chat at http://www.loveisrespect.org.
- Call the U.S. National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE), which automatically connects you to a local U.S. rape crisis program based on the area code of your phone number. Secure, online private chat is available at https://ohl.rainn.org/online/.