Safety, Survivors, and End Domestic Violence Together (DVAM 2025)

How can you help a survivor of domestic violence? How can you bring awareness for domestic Violence prevention? Every year I ask myself this question regarding domestic violence, especially during October. Although Domestic violence can happen anywhere, anytime, and in an instant; It is important to have conversations with your children especially when they are teenagers. It is a difficult subject to speak about, but it is necessary especially if they know someone who is experiencing domestic violence or domestic abuse. 

Being informed about the warning signs of domestic violence is the first step to helping someone. Also, giving them emotional support and helping them with their emotional healing. Avoiding certain triggers or reminding them about the painful experience is also recommended. Yet, keep an honest communication with them and make sure they feel safe speaking about it. Lastly, getting to know a survivor of domestic violence can help others to prevent it. 

Do not make the survivor feel shame, guilt, or worry about what others might think about them. If you can relate to a survivor’s experience, do share your experiences with them without interrupting each other. Plan an evening and provide resources about recovering from domestic violence, family violence, and domestic abuse. Accompany a survivor to a group therapy or a domestic violence survivors community event. Give flowers or a handmade gift to help a survivor to feel support. 

Post free social media graphics with a message of hope to domestic violence survivors. Have a family night and have an hour of silence in memory of someone who has experienced domestic violence or domestic abuse. It is also essential to understand the survivors of domestic violence and domestic abuse. Do not assume that they will tell you everything about their past hurtful experiences. They might cry, get angry, or feel a loss of words but it is essential for their healing and recovery. 

Every year in October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year the theme is “Survivors deserve safety, support, and solidarity.” Throughout the entire month, you can show and give support to survivors of domestic violence. Domestic violence not only occurs in relationships, but it can also occur within the family. Family violence can occur frequently, and it can be difficult to see the warning signs.

Often it is one or two parents or another family member that has experienced family violence and domestic violence. It is a painful experience as well as an experience that takes time to heal and recover as an adult. Nonetheless, when someone has experienced family violence and domestic violence, one must be ready to listen, speak, and not to be silent if a family member has hurt you. To end Domestic Violence and to make a change, one must believe, listen, and help a survivor to speak about their family and domestic violence. This year you can bring awareness of domestic violence by using the hashtags “# Stand Up to Silence,” “#Stop the Hurt,” and “#Empower Survivors.”

You can participate in community events and bring awareness in social media about helping survivors from domestic violence and family violence. Preventing domestic violence in the home and in the community is possible. Help a survivor by getting the resources that they will need. Accompany them to the hospital or to their medical appointments. Also, help a survivor to report it to the authorities and to their medical provider. 

Practice mindfulness, Yoga, or mind and body exercises for reducing stress, nervousness, or anxiety. If they like to do creative activities like crocheting, artworks, sewing, or macrame; Join them and have a relaxing conversation. Participate in a karaoke session, a walking marathon, or a charity event to prevent domestic violence. Additionally sign up for a domestic violence prevention event in your workplace or an information night at your child's school. Wear purple with your family or a purple accessory as a reminder to show support.

Wear purple on the third Thursday of the week in October. Purple is the chosen color for bringing awareness and to show support to survivors of domestic violence. Make a survivor feel welcomed and demonstrate empathy. Give encouraging words and have meaningful conversations. Here are resources for Domestic Violence. 

 

HCWC Empowering Survivors Together:

HCWC Empowering Survivors Together

Domestic Violence Support-National Domestic Violence Hotline:

Domestic Violence Support | National Domestic Violence Hotline

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