Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month, held every October, prompts us to raise awareness about domestic violence in all its forms, renew our ongoing commitment to justice and healing for survivors, and honor the lives that have been lost.
Domestic violence is often cloaked in silence and stigma, making it a challenging topic to address. It impacts people across all genders and backgrounds — and may affect the lives of those close to you. Take a moment to reach out to friends and family, consider your own relationships, and explore ways to learn more and get involved in raising awareness.
What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is a recurring, chronic, deliberate pattern of behaviors perpetuated by one partner (or former partner) to gain power and maintain control over another in a relationship. It affects individuals from all backgrounds — regardless of age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, economic status, education, or religion. Domestic violence includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, or injure someone, and may include emotional, financial, physical, psychological, sexual, and spiritual abuse.
Although the frequency and severity of domestic violence varies dramatically, it includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, or injure someone within an intimate relationship.
Ongoing exposure to abuse and the associated trauma can have devastating, life-long consequences on a survivor’s physical, mental, and emotional health. The journey to safely escape and fully heal from an abusive relationship is different for each person and takes time, space, and support.
If you or someone you know needs help, call our 24-hour confidential crisis hotline at 619.234.3164.
Get Involved
Take action by learning more about the issue, sharing resources to support survivors, and joining the conversation in our community:
- Speak out by starting a conversation with your friends, family and neighbors to help end the silence around domestic violence.
- Learn about the warning signs of domestic violence and how to get help for yourself or someone you know.
- Be an advocate and understand how to help someone who is in an abusive relationship. Offer your compassion and support by listening without judgment and respecting their decisions.
- Be inspired by stories of courageous survivors who found the help they needed to reclaim their lives.
- Empower survivors by making an online gift to support our life-changing solutions for adults and children.
- Engage your legislators in advocating for survivor-centered public policies that strengthen protections and resources for survivors.
- Join YWCA USA for the Week Without Violence campaign from October 21-26 to raise awareness of financial abuse and advocate for survivors.
- Share on social media why you are taking a stand against domestic violence. Use #DVAM24 and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, X, or LinkedIn.
- Wear purple, the color of domestic violence, to raise awareness of this critical issue. Take a selfie and share on social media using #DVAM24!
By the Numbers
Domestic violence is widespread and one of the most pervasive threats to safety and wellbeing in our community:
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience domestic violence in their lifetime, regardless of their background (Centers for Disease Control).
- More than half (54%) of transgender or non-binary people experience domestic violence (National Center for Transgender Equality).
- 1 in 5 children and youth experience domestic violence in their homes (Blue Shield of California Foundation).
- 99% of domestic violence cases involve financial abuse, including forced job loss, damaged credit history, and substantial debt (Allstate Foundation).
- In San Diego County, nearly 17,000 domestic violence incidents were reported to law enforcement last year, although the majority are never reported due to fear and intimidation (San Diego Association of Governments).
