Domestic Violence Awareness Month
By Emma Brown
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, meant to highlight the survivors and victims of physical, psychological or sexual abuse. These terms are repeated a lot, and there’s a brief understanding of them, but what actually is domestic violence?
Domestic violence, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, is “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. This abuse can be broken down as physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, technological or economic.
It doesn’t have to be physical violence or sexual abuse. Domestic violence can also be stalking, emotional manipulation or exerting control over income and finances. People tend to look past these typical “red flag” behaviors, saying they are toxic rather than abusive. However, these behaviors are violent and abusive. If they aren’t caught early on, they could lead to physical violence.
According to a 2026 Center for Disease Control (CDC) report, 1 in 5 women have experienced sexual violence and 1 in 4 experienced physical violence from an intimate partner. Although women are more often the target of domestic violence, it affects everyone. The CDC report said that 1 in 23 men experienced sexual violence with an intimate partner and 1 in 7 experienced physical violence.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) stated that nearly 10 million Americans are abused by an intimate partner each year. If there were 30 people in a classroom, one of them would be a victim of domestic violence. In a graduating class of 300, 10 students would grow up to be victims of domestic abuse. The person sitting across the table could very well be a victim of abuse.
Speaking out is often scarier than being in a violent situation. That is part of an abuser’s power. Finding the courage to seek help and get out of an abusive relationship is one of the hardest things a person can do. However, it is crucial to know that you aren’t alone, there are people and professionals willing to help you and that there is a better life outside of the abusive relationship.
If you or someone you know is in a dangerous and abusive situation, call 911 and/or reach out to the National DV hotline at (800)-799-7233. If you know, or are, a survivor of domestic abuse, and want to seek consultation, contact the National Center for Victims of Crime at (855)-484-2846.
If something feels off, that’s because it probably is. Trust your gut in situations that feel tense or unsafe and immediately reach out for help.