October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize the realities of domestic violence, stand alongside survivors, and bring greater attention to the resources and support available to those experiencing abuse.
At Stepping Stone Shelter, we believe awareness is an important first step, but survivors need more than awareness. They need safety, support, access to resources when they are ready to reach out, and communities willing to turn concern into action. That’s why this October, we are not only standing with survivors always, but also focusing on turning awareness into action.
What Is Domestic Violence?
Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors used by one person to gain or maintain power and control over another person in an intimate or family relationship. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, income, race, relationship status, or background.
Domestic violence is not limited to physical violence. Abuse can also be emotional, verbal, sexual, financial, psychological, or digital. A person may be isolated from friends and family, monitored through their phone, prevented from accessing money, threatened, intimidated, or made to feel that they are responsible for their partner’s behavior.
Because abuse is about power and control, it doesn’t always look the way people expect. Someone experiencing domestic violence may not have visible injuries, and leaving an abusive relationship is not always simple or immediately possible. Survivors deserve to be believed, supported, and given the opportunity to make decisions about their own safety.
What Does Domestic Violence Awareness Month Mean?
Domestic Violence Awareness Month gives communities an opportunity to learn, have important conversations, remember those who have lost their lives to domestic violence, honor survivors, and recognize the organizations working every day to provide safety and support. It’s also a time to look beyond awareness; we can wear purple, share resources, and talk about healthy relationships and the warning signs of abuse, but those actions become even more meaningful when they lead to tangible support for survivors and the services they depend on.
What Does Stepping Stone Shelter Do?
Our work is centered on providing safety, support, and advocacy for survivors. We provide emergency shelter for individuals and families affected by domestic violence, along with confidential, non-residential advocacy for those who need support but may not need to stay at the shelter. Our trained advocates can help survivors with safety planning, basic needs, emotional support, legal advocacy, counseling, navigating community resources, and more. Stepping Stone also provides services for survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking, as well as The Bridge Transitional Housing Program, which offers longer-term support for survivors working toward stability and independence.
Our goal is to give survivors options, information, and a supportive place to turn when they are ready. Every survivor’s situation is different, and Stepping Stone is here to meet people where they are, without judgment.
How Can You Turn Awareness Into Action?
- Learn the signs: Understanding what abuse can look like helps us recognize situations that may otherwise be overlooked. Learn about physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and technological forms of abuse, as well as behaviors like isolation, intimidation, and controlling access to money or transportation.
- Listen without judgment: If someone tells you they are experiencing abuse, believe them. Avoid asking why they stayed or questioning their decisions. Instead, let them know you are there to listen and support them.
- Share resources: Save the contact information for local domestic violence organizations and share it with friends, family members, coworkers, and community members. You never know who may need it.
- Donate: Resources for survivors are scarce, while the need for shelter, advocacy, basic necessities, counseling, legal assistance, and safety planning continues. A donation to Stepping Stone Shelter helps provide these critical services to survivors and their children.
- Sign petitions: There are many petitions advocating for survivors, justice, new laws to be put into place, and much more. Even one signature is a step towards action and justice for these survivors.
- Support local organizations: Attend fundraisers, participate in awareness campaigns, volunteer when opportunities are available, or ask local organizations what they need most. Even small actions can strengthen the network of support available to survivors.
- Use your voice: Talk about domestic violence in a way that centers survivors and promotes healthy relationships, safety, and support. Share accurate information and challenge myths that minimize or excuse abuse.
Survivors Deserve Action
There are countless ways each of us can contribute to a community where survivors know they are not alone and where support is available when they need it. This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we invite you to learn, listen, give, volunteer, share resources, and support survivors. Our 24-hour hotline is available at 219-879-4615.
