(Woodland, CA) – (October 5, 2021) – October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Since 1989 Congress has annually recognized October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This month, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office recognizes those who have previously and are currently living with abuse, and wants to raise awareness of a serious social problem and dangerous crime that affects billions of individuals across the globe.
In the United States alone, the CDC reports about one in five women and one in seven men have experienced severe physical violence from a spouse or dating partner, and half of people in the United States, regardless of gender, have experienced psychological abuse by a former or current partner.
Domestic violence has many serious outcomes, including death. One in five homicides are committed by an intimate partner. It’s even more dangerous for women, where one half of female homicides are committed by a current or former partner. Domestic violence is also connected to negative health outcomes, such as PTSD, depression, and many chronic health conditions. Children who are exposed to domestic violence are 15 times more likely to be assaulted in their lifetimes than the average person.
The goal of Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to educate the community on the serious consequences of domestic violence, to support those experiencing of domestic violence, to reflect on their own actions and the actions of their loved ones, and to seek help if they want to leave an abusive relationship.
While leaving an abusive relationship, or helping someone in one can be scary, there is a simple way to support those experiencing it. Isolation is a powerful tool in abusive relationships. One of the most effective ways to help someone in an abusive relationship and to prevent abuse is to keep in touch with friends and family. Set aside regular times to speak. If someone is being abused, let them know how you can support them, and be patient as they figure out what actions they can safely take.
Prevention is also a very important role for community members. It’s up to each person to teach children and young adults what healthy and respectful relationships look like. People of all ages need to be taught how to communicate, problem solve, and manage their feelings without resorting to violence.
Community members can also support survivors by donating to or volunteering with Empower Yolo (Yolo County’s domestic violence and sexual assault center) or My Sister’s House (a multi-lingual, multi-cultural domestic violence and sexual assault center serving Asian and Pacific Islander women and children in the greater Sacramento area). This month the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office will host an office-wide clothing drive to benefit Empower Yolo, and draft a resolution to proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which will be signed by Yolo County Board of Supervisors on October 12, 2021.
The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office will also continue to vigorously prosecute domestic violence offenders who commit these life altering crimes. And Yolo County District Attorney’s Victim Services will continue to help domestic violence survivors by providing advocacy, court accompaniment, and many other needed services. Please contact Yolo County District Attorney’s Victim Services with any questions at (530) 666-8187.
Victim Services staff wearing purple in honor of DVAM
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