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The month of October is set aside for Domestic Violence Awareness. Yes, it is also unfortunately Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which draws a lot of attention away from DV awareness. Lets not let that stop us my friends!! Women in the US have a 1 in 8 chance of getting breast cancer but a 1 in 4 chance of having domestic violence in their lifetime.

What can we do to make our society more aware of the dangers domestic violence presents?  Here are some ideas:

  1. Find your nearest DV crisis center and ask them how you can help them. To find a program or shelter near you go to https://www.domesticshelters.org/ You might:

  • get family and friends together to collect items they need like travel size toiletries, clothes for women and children and/or children’s toys.
  • train to be a DV advocate – many centers will offer training for free
  • volunteer – you could work at their 24 hour call center, in their office or at their clothes bank.
  1. Ask your boss or pastor to offer a DV training for your fellow employees or church members

The next several ideas are from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV):

  1. Organize a vigil and a moment of silence on October 1st at 11am EST to remember the victims of domestic violence.
  2. Take a selfie or group photo and share why and how you are standing up against domestic violence. 
  3. Share what you have already done or are doing to stop domestic violence on our Facebook wall or post to your own social media with our hashtags ‪#‎NCADV # #takeastand #STANDwithNCADV.
  4. Contact your local media and lawmakers by calling, emailing or sending them a letter asking them to be aware and work for change. 
  5. Collect cellphones and start a cellphone recycling drive for free. 
  6. Wear Purple and tell everyone why!
  7. Mobilize your network and hold your own event. Use these resources. Then, share your event with NCADV on social media using these hashtags #tasncadv #takeastand #STANDwithNCADV. Send us your event information (when, where, date, time, and link) and we will post it to our national event listing page.
  8. Donate online to NCADV.org or at Mobile Cause by texting #takeastand to 41444 to help give domestic violence victims a voice!
  9. Buy Take A Stand, NCADV and No More products to show what you stand for.
  10. Become an NCADV member and take a stand against domestic violence with us! 

Psalm 140:12 says:

I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor
    and upholds the cause of the needy.

I pray we will do the same.

May He bless you in the month of October and always.

Caroline