Self-Actualization thru Women's Empowerment: Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) History

Brief History:

In March of 1917, The National Women’s Party (NWP) was formed to fight for women’s right to vote. This is important to the history of domestic violence awareness for two reasons. One, the (eventual) right to vote empowers women to support legislation that works toward gender equality and against the violation of women’s human rights (including domestic abuse). The NWP remains a leading advocate of women’s political, social, and economic equality throughout the 20th century.

Two, the NWP establishes its official colors as white, gold, and purple, lending more symbolic visibility to supporters of women’s rights.

In January of 1978, The United States Commission on Civil Rights held the Consultation on Battered Women and formed the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV).

In July of 1978, over 100,000 women marched in Washington, DC to demand equal rights. Many of them wore lavender and purple. Symbolically, this choice of color also represents the important work of the NWP.

- Connections for Abused Women and their Children, www.cawc.org

In October of 1981, the "Day of Unity" was created by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Intended to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national levels.

The activities conducted were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes: mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, and connecting those who work to end violence. The Silent Witness Project is often observed during DVAM made up of painted red, life sized figures with shields that tell the story of individual women and others who died as a result of domestic violence in the previous year. The display is said to be viewed in at least 46 states on an annual basis.

In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline. In 1989 the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Such legislation has passed every year since with NCADV providing key leadership in this effort. Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

- University of Minnesota, Aurora Center. https://aurora.umn.edu/dvam

In 1989, Congress passed Public Law 101-112, which officially established October as the federally observed Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In 2010, Katherine Hudson co-founded “Wear It Purple Day” in support of LGBTQIA+ youth struggles and resilience. This eventually becomes Purple Thursday, a day that is observed on the third Thursday of every October. Later, Purple Thursday (also called “Go Purple Day”) is also adopted by domestic violence advocacy organizations.

- Connections for Abused Women and their Children, www.cawc.org

The following hashtags will be used this month by people trying to raise awareness about Domestic Violence, including by sharing their own stories. - LSCPA, www.lamarpa.edu

#DVAM

#WeAreResilient

#HealHoldCenter

#LoveShouldntHurt

#Every1KnowsSome1

#StandAgainstDV

#PledgePurple

If you or someone you love is experiencing physical, emotional, financial, sexual, mental domestic violence and/or coercive control you/they are not alone. There are organizations that are dedicated to helping you/them and your/their children to find safety and help in the healing and recovery process.

SAFETY ALERT: If you are in danger, please use a safer computer and consider calling 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 / TTY 1-800-787-3224 (se habla español) or the StrongHearts Native Helpline at 1−844-762-8483 (call or text) are available to assist you.

Helpful Links

US National Domestic Violence Hotline (Se habla español)

Safety Tip from National Resource Center on Domestic Violence

Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) DOJ

United Nations – Domestic Violence Information

Health.Mil - Domestic Violence Resources for Military Partners

Thank you for honoring the feminine and thank you for visiting. Wishing you peace.