October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we at Hope and Healing are hard at work spreading the word! We are happy to be joined by many others in the community, including the Akron-Summit County Public Library system, the Medina County District Library, the University of Akron, and more.
Domestic violence is traditionally assumed to occur between a husband and wife, and result in visible injuries, like bruises and broken bones. While this does happen, this kind of violence can occur between anyone – LGBTQ+ partners, divorced or separated partners, or cohabitating partners, to name a few. In order to be more inclusive, domestic violence can also be referred to as intimate partner violence, or IPV.
The injuries that occur as a result of IPV can be physical, but there are a number of underlying, invisible wounds that occur as well. Some of these include emotional abuse, intimidation, coercion and threats, isolation, and economic abuse. The power and control wheel provides a great illustration of these lesser-known, but incredibly harmful aspects of IPV.
Understanding the facts about IPV is crucial for identifying and helping survivors in need. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a great opportunity to start conversations and educate family and friends. Most importantly, believing and listening to survivors of IPV is a crucial step toward healing. As October rolls on, we encourage you to join us in bringing awareness, help, and empowerment!
Check out our calendar or Facebook page to see what we’re up to for the entire month of DVAM.
Don’t forget to wear purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Day on October 9th and send your pictures of you and friends wearing purple to our Facebook event here !
