October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to provide education and resources about domestic violence, share stories of resilience and strength and learn what we can do to prevent and notice the warning signs of domestic violence.
#1Thing
The Domestic Violence Awareness Project (DVAP) has developed a unified message around #1Thing. This campaign reminds us that change can start with only #1Thing. “One person’s actions may seem insignificant, but together a communities’ collective “#1Things” can lead to real social transformation,” DVAP says on its website. What will your one thing be during October?
Local Resources
The City of Charlottesville and the surrounding areas offer residents many resources if they are experiencing – or know someone who is experiencing – domestic violence. These resources include counseling services, relocation assistance or temporary housing and resources for the family and friends of those experiencing violence.
Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA)
SARA’s Support Services are available to all survivors of sexual violence, including men, women, and children. Support Services are available to friends, family, and loved ones of survivors as well. All of our Support Services are provided free of charge. SARA also currently provides 2- to 4-year consulting to assist schools as they develop prevention education programs for their students
The Women’s Initiative
The Women’s Initiative offers women mental health support regardless of their ability to pay. Individual counseling and group support are available. It also offers a relationship recovery group that meets on Tuesdays.
SHELTER for Help in Emergency
The Shelter for Help in Emergency operates a 24-hour hotline for victims and survivors who need a safe place to talk, and for families and friends of survivors who may seek information to help their loved one. The hotline number is 434-293-8509 V/TTY (collect calls accepted). Language interpretation is available. SHELTER also offers emergency, temporary housing to victims of domestic violence in need of safety; counseling and case management.
Charlottesville Victim/Witness
The Charlottesville Victim/Witness Assistance Program is designed to ensure that victims and witnesses of criminal offenses will receive fair and compassionate treatment throughout the judicial process.
What Can You Do?
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers various resources including signs of physical, mental and financial abuse.
Be an ally. Resources to have on hand to help anyone experiencing the domestic violence who is taking steps to end it include, but are not limited to, information about homelessness, housing, moving companies and faith-based organizations that offer programming and services around the issue.
Shanika Vest, a Community Manager on our team, contributed to this blog post.