October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month - here are the resources available to help

Makayla Lamson, LCSW
·2 min read

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. During this month, and throughout the year, allied professionals and surrounding communities are working together to create change and to advocate for victims and families that have been deeply impacted by this epidemic. We come together to mourn the lives lost to domestic violence and to support effected communities and families with the understanding that domestic violence is widespread despite age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion or nationality.

What is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, threats and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically.

The facts:

  • 20 people are physically abused by intimate partners every minute.

  • 10 million people are abused annually.Connecticut: In one year, 46,750 victims were served by domestic violence relief programs.

  • 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner abuse. Connecticut: 37.7% of Connecticut women and 33.9% of Connecticut men experience intimate partner abuse.

  • Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime. Connecticut: 1/3 of all criminal court cases involve family violence.

Supports and Resources:

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

  • National Dating Abuse Helpline: 1-866-331-9474

  • National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE)

  • National Center for Victims of Crime: 1-202-467-8700

  • National Resource Center on Domestic Violence: 1-800-537-2238

Anyone can become a victim of domestic violence. Victims who experience abuse can be left with permanent effects, some including depression, anxiety, shame, social withdrawal, and the potential for substance abuse, self-harm, or suicidality as a means of coping with the abuse.

Makayla Lamson, LCSW
Makayla Lamson, LCSW

Take action and provide your support. To learn more and get involved visit ncadv.org.

Makayla Lamson, LCSW, is affiliated with UCFS Healthcare.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: UCFS Healthcare: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month