National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Something I am very passionate about is educating others on domestic violence. There are so many root causes of domestic violence and so many rippling effects that last for so very long. Domestic violence also takes on a variety of forms, in a variety of degrees and in a variety of socioeconomic statuses. For the most part, women and children are victims - but that is not to discount men that have experienced domestic abuse. Domestic violence is emotional, physical, financial, verbal, psychological and unwanted. And it's often undetected or if it is, not addressed for fear of the unknown or what to do. A lack of understanding makes victims to blame when they stay in their situation, causing anger, fear and hurt. Domestic violence is a problem without a perfect solution. I heard these statistics this week and found them heartbreaking...

According to the March of Dimes, domestic violence is the #1 cause of birth defects - more than all other medical causes combined. 

On average, 3 women die at the hands of a current or former intimate partner each day. 

Financial abuse is one of the least commonly known but one of the most powerful tactics of entrapping a victim in a relationship.

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States, more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined. ("Violence Against Women, A Majority Staff Report," Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate, 102nd Congress)

Three to four million women in the United States are beaten in their homes each year by their husbands, ex-husbands, or male lovers. ("Women and Violence," Hearings before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee)

One woman is beaten by her husband or partner every 15 seconds in the United States. (Uniform Crime Reports, Federal Bureau of Investigation).

Domestic violence should not happen to anyone... anywhere... ever... period. 

But here's the good news. People are noticing, and becoming educated, and spreading the word. It's a movement that has made small strides for a very, very long time. October is a great month for many reasons and Domestic Violence Awareness Month is one of them! So become educated, because knowledge is the best power of all. And it only takes one knowledgeable person to help.