Written By: Alex Kabat, Advocacy Center Campus Educator
The fall months provide a chance to reflect on October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month efforts. Since its origins in 1981 as a Day of Unity, DVAM has evolved into a movement to honor survivors and their stories, inform others about the impacts of abuse, and work together as a community to prevent future instances of violence.
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse or intimate partner violence, is a recurring pattern of behavior within a relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. This cycle doesn’t have to include physical harm – verbal and emotional abuse also perpetuate pain.
A common misconception surrounding domestic violence is that it mainly occurs within the context of a long-term partnership, and, more specifically, a heterosexual marriage. In reality, this type of abuse encompasses a spectrum of behaviors that can affect anyone in intimate relationships.
According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1 in 5 college women has been verbally abused by a dating partner and 1 in 6 has been sexually abused within a dating relationship. Over half (57%) of college students who report experiencing intimate partner violence say it is difficult to identify the signs of this type of abuse.
On college campuses, silence is one of the most prevalent barriers to students’ healing journeys.
Administration can feel unreachable, and confronting authority may spark terror instead of change. The impact of abuse on survivors’ lives is tremendous, and can cause a large college campus to feel suffocating. One’s abuser may live in the same dorm building or be assigned to their group for a class presentation.
A campus cloaked in secrecy sustains a sense of isolation for survivors. Supporters may be hesitant to advocate for loved ones, or might not recognize the signs of domestic violence and abuse.
DVAM brought forth opportunities for everyone – including survivors, supporters, advocates, educators, and leaders – to connect through a shared goal: to end domestic violence. It highlighted the comfort survivors felt in sharing their stories and successes.
Throughout the month, the Advocacy Center of Tompkins County continued its ongoing collaboration with Ithaca College, Cornell University, and Tompkins Cortland Community College. In an effort to amplify voices of survivors and supporters alike, we participated in the IC Runs Purple 5k fundraiser, hosted Clothesline Project displays at TC3 and IC, spread the word about services at multiple tabling events, and more.
While October was a time of solidarity and strengthened support, our work doesn’t end as pages of the calendar turn. As we move through fall, the holiday season, and beyond, it is imperative that we continue to work towards education, prevention, and support. Remember, domestic violence is a public health crisis 365 days a year.
Sources:
https://www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence
https://www.thehotline.org/stakeholders/domestic-violence-awareness-month/
https://opdv.ny.gov/october-domestic-violence-awareness-month