The month of October is designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and has been each year since 1989.

According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, one in three women and one in four men have experienced some form of physical or emotional violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s “Day of Unity,” which was first observed in October 1981. The goal of that event was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children.

Now, Domestic Violence Awareness Month has expanded to build acknowledgement and support for all domestic violence survivors and to amplify the voice of its victims. You can learn more about Domestic Violence Awareness Month, including ways that you can get involved, by visiting the National Domestic Violence Hotline’s website.