Domestic Violence Awareness Month

First observed in October 1981 as a national “Day of Unity,” Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is held each October to unite advocates across the nation in their efforts to end domestic violence. (National Domestic Violence Hotline)

At Green River College, we use the month to provide additional training, resources, and information to the campus community about domestic violence. We all play an important role in preventing the continuation of violence in our community!

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship. (Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice)

Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, sex, disability, or gender identity. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels. Domestic violence occurs in both opposite-sex and same-sex relationships and can happen to intimate partners who are married, living together, dating, or share a child.

holding sign

 

Over 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Over 1 in 2 transgender individuals have experienced some form of intimate partner violence, including acts involving coercive control and physical harm. (2015 U.S. Transgender Survey Report)

Community Support and Resources for Domestic Violence

dv sign

 

Get Involved

You can help end domestic violence! Explore ways that you can get involved depending on your role in the campus community.

  • Educate yourself about domestic violence and learn about what resources are available in the community
  • Bystander intervention - intervene using one of the 5 D's of Bystander Intervention if you witness inappropriate or unhealthy relationship dynamics.
  • Start a conversation with a friend, family member, classmate, or coworker about domestic violence
  • Talk to your child about what healthy relationships look like
  • Check-in with someone if you think they may be experiencing domestic violence
  • Use a class assignment or research paper to learn more about domestic violence
  • Partner with the Center for Transformational Wellness to visit your student group or club meeting to talk about domestic violence
  • Attend DVAM activities at Green River College
  • Apply to work as a Relationship and Sexual Violence Peer Educator for the Center for Transformational Wellness on Handshake
  • Volunteer for the Center for Transformational Wellness

  • Have Center for Transformational Wellness flyers and brochures visibly posted in your office
  • Refer students or coworkers who disclose they have experienced domestic violence to the Center for Transformational Wellness or other community resources
  • Invite Center for Transformational Wellness staff to talk at your next staff meeting about domestic violence
  • Encourage students to attend DVAM activities
  • Attend DVAM professional development activities for staff
  • Use the Center for Transformational Wellness DVAM Zoom background
  • Join Green River College's Gators CARE committee

  • Have Center for Transformational Wellness flyers and brochures visibly posted in your office
  • Refer students or coworkers who disclose they have experienced domestic violence to the Center for Transformational Wellness or other community resources
  • Invite Center for Transformational Wellness staff to talk at your next staff meeting about domestic violence
  • Encourage students to attend DVAM activities
  • Attend DVAM professional development activities for staff and faculty
  • Invite Center for Transformational Wellness staff to talk to your class about domestic violence
  • Make an announcement on Canvas about domestic violence
  • Incorporate learning about domestic violence into a class assignment
  • Use the Center for Transformational Wellness' DVAM Zoom background
  • Join Green River College's Gators CARE committee