October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

President Trump proclaimed that October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In his proclamation, President Trump called upon us to “marshal every tool at our disposal to continue the national, sustained, and coordinated campaign to end domestic violence forever.”

In her National Domestic Violence Awareness Month video message, Director Jessica E. Hart discusses the Office for Victims of Crime’s commitment to supporting organizations throughout the Nation that support victims of domestic violence. “The Office for Victims of Crime has awarded $1.5 million dollars to the National Domestic Violence Hotline to expand their digital services and technology-based tools to assist victims, including tracking the availability of shelter beds online.” states Director Hart.

Funded in part by the Office for Victims of Crime, the National Domestic Violence Hotline has advocates that are available 24/7 for victims experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship. Support is also available to family members and friends concerned about a loved one. Contact the hotline 24/7 toll free at 800–799–7233 or via online chat.

Domestic violence not only causes emotional and physical harm to victims, but it is also a major cause of homelessness. The Domestic Violence and Housing Technical Assistance Consortium supports survivors experiencing homelessness. Submit a technical assistance request to the Consortium for assistance to address the intersection of domestic violence and homelessness in your community.

Download the free DocuSAFE: Documentation and Evidence Collection app. This app helps survivors collect, store, and share evidence of abuse, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, online harassment, and dating violence. If survivors choose, the app provides options for sharing the content with law enforcement, attorneys, victim advocates, and other professionals. The Safety Net Team at the National Network to End Domestic Violence, in partnership with 3Advance, created this app with funding from the Office for Victims of Crime.

Learn about the OVC-funded SafeNight app that provides support to victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual assault seeking urgent shelter. This app was produced by the Safe Shelter Collaborative—agencies, funders, supporters, technologists, and community-minded experts who develop solutions that find shelter faster for survivors.

To enhance your efforts in raising awareness of domestic violence, visit the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Project section of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence website for customizable materials, training resources, and other tools.

Additional resources and information are available on the Intimate Partner Violence section of our site.

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