Every October, communities across the United States observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) to honor survivors, uplift survivor narratives, remember victims, and take collective action to end abuse. First established in 1987, DVAM brings attention to the widespread issue of domestic violence, which affects millions every year. According to the CDC, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have experienced severe intimate partner violence in their lifetime 1. But these numbers are even higher in BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, where barriers to safety and justice are compounded by racism, homophobia, transphobia, and systemic inequality. In this week’s blog, we will be looking at a few statistics to spread awareness about what abuse looks like and why it matters that we stay educated, and protect survivors/victims of domestic violence
What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence includes more than just physical harm. it also encompasses emotional abuse, coercive control, sexual violence, financial exploitation, and digital abuse in a society overpowered by social media. Survivors/victims often face manipulation, isolation, and threats to their safety and livelihood.
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as LGBTQIA+ individuals, often experience higher rates of abuse but have less access to culturally competent resources and support. In addition, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ folks face systemic inequities in law enforcement agencies taking their reports seriously and investigating compared to White individuals. For example:
- Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from domestic violence than white women 2.
- Indigenous women face domestic violence rates up to 10 times the national average 3.
- 44% of lesbian women and 54% of transgender people report experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime 4.
These communities are also more likely to encounter discrimination when seeking help from police, courts, shelters, or healthcare providers.
It is important to recognize that domestic violence is multi-layered. Some of the warning signs that abuse may be occurring include monitoring phone, extreme jealousy, isolating you from friends and family, insulting you, calling you names, telling you what to wear, physically hurting you in any way, feeling pressured, extreme mood swings, demanding to know where you are at all the time, using your identity against you (ex: threatening to “out” an LGBTQIA+ person), and not allowing you to have alone time.
Why Domestic Violence Awareness Month Matters
DVAM is a chance to:
- Raise awareness about the many forms abuse can take which include psychological abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.
- Empower survivors to share their stories and access support as well as create safe spaces for survivors to share their stories/narratives.
- Advocate for equitable resources, especially for marginalized communities. We live in an era where it is important to make our voices heard in the system, which means ensuring that we are aware at a community level of the resources available, how political figures step up for survivors, and voting for measures/people that put survivors/victims first.
Events during the month often include survivor-led panels, candlelight vigils, and social media campaigns like #PurpleThursday, where supporters wear purple to show solidarity.
How You Can Help
Everyone has a role to play in ending domestic violence:
- Educate yourself about intersectionality and how abuse impacts different communities.
- Donate to organizations led by and serving BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ survivors, such as The Northwest Network or Black Women’s Blueprint.
- Speak up against victim-blaming and support survivors with empathy and without judgment.
Share resources, like the National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.
Like the Lotus, We Rise
Domestic violence is not just a private issue. It’s a public health and human rights issue. For BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ survivors, it’s often a matter of survival in a system that wasn’t built to protect them. At Holistic Psychological Services, Inc. we honor the lived experiences of all individuals and believe in empowering survivors. We are committed to providing a space where survivors feel empowered, seen, and heard. This October, let us rise and commit to creating a world where all survivors regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation have access to safety, justice, and healing.
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Disclaimer: The content provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, please seek the advice of a qualified mental health professional. For immediate support, call 988 for 24/7 confidential assistance.