Did you know that every nine seconds a woman is assaulted or beaten? Additionally, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), one in four women and one in seven men over the age of 18 in the U.Ss will be affected by domestic violence in their lifetimes. In an effort to break the cycle of domestic violence in our communities, the NCADV designated October as Domestic Violence Awareness month. Here are four simple ways you can help raise awareness:
Organize a Hopeline drive or join Verizon’s “1 million” phone drive campaign.
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Show your support by purchasing products or services in which a portion of the proceeds are donated to domestic violence programs. Recently, Kerry Washington and Dee Ocleppo designed the “The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse.” Exclusively sold at Saks Fifth Avenue, the purse retails for $350 and 25% of the proceeds benefits more than 160 domestic violence programs nationwide. Additionally, here are a few other retail businesses that you can purchase with a purpose:
- The Limited Brands – support local domestic violence shelters and programs across the country through their Giving Tree and Adopt-A-Mom programs.
- Avon Foundation for Women – to help the National Domestic Violence Hotline answer more calls from women, men and children impacted by Domestic Violence, the foundation partnered with the hotline to grant $500,000 to 25 local domestic violence advocacy programs in cities across the U.S.
- The TJ Maxx Family of Companies helps spread awareness and garner support for NDVH’s mission through their national Shop Till It Stops campaign, giving a portion of certain sales to the hotline during DVAM.
Attend a domestic violence awareness forum. Throughout the month of October, several events are being held across the nation. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke will host a free forum at the Brooklyn Museum in New York. The Honorable Cynthia A. Stafford is moderating an awareness and empowerment discussion at Miami Dade College in Miami, Florida, and the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority (FDHA), will host a day-long summit including various workshops, a town hall forum, and wellness screenings to help abuse. To find local events in your area, visit the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence or you can search for events on Eventbrite.com.
Share resources or information with survivors, victims, family, and friends by visiting, www.ncadv.org/need-help/resources.
Everyone can help raise awareness about domestic violence. Watch the “1 is 2 Many” PSA featuring President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, Eli Manning, Jeremy Lin and more.