As many of you may know, October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Throughout the month, states, communities, and individuals are putting on events to honor those who have lost their lives to DV, celebrate survivors, and connect and support those who are working to end DV.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month grew out of a tradition – Day of Unity – that was started in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in an effort to connect and unify victims, survivors, and advocates from across the country. Slowly but surely, the Day of Unity went from one day of remembrance to a week-long series in which activities and events were put on at the local, state, and, eventually, the national level.

In 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was officially observed and, that same year, the first national DV hotline was up and running. Two years later, in 1989, Congress passed legislation commemorating DV Awareness Month. Today, the Day of Unity that started it all is celebrated on the first Monday in October and Domestic Violence Awareness Month is nationally recognized with events, activities, and commemorations that celebrate the strength of those who have experienced abuse while sending the powerful message that domestic violence is wrong and must be stopped.

DVP is doing its part to recognize victims and survivors. We've partnered with a number of community agencies throughout NYC and we'll be present at a number of events that are being hosted in honor of DV Awareness Month. Some of the events we'll be at include:

- Brooklyn DiVA Talk – Hosted by News 12 Brooklyn. This is a one-hour live talk and call-in forum addressing domestic violence issues. Brooklyn Public Library – Grand Army Plaza

- Clothesline Project – Hosted by Bronx AIDS Services. By writing on, drawing on, or decorating a t-shirt, the CLP is a way for those who have been impacted by DV to express their emotions. Shirts are then hung on a clothesline to be viewed by others as a testimony to the problem of domestic and intimate partner violence. [More info: http://www.clotheslineproject.org/]

- Domestic Violence Awareness Fair – Hosted by Bellevue Hospital – Crime Victims Unit. DVP will be tabling at this health fair to distribute materials, talk with individuals who may be in need of help, and show solidarity with Bellevue's CVU in their commitment to working to end domestic and intimate partner violence.

If you'd like more information about Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Domestic Violence Project, or the events we'll be attending, feel free to send Monica an email at mmcenrue@urbanjustice.org.

[History of DVAM taken from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website: http://www.ncadv.org/takeaction/DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth_134.html]