October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Each year, in October, advocates, survivors and supporters recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).

This year, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) continues their campaign theme, #Every1KnowsSome1, to highlight how common domestic violence is and that it can include more than physical violence. Throughout October and November, NNEDV will be sharing content on their social media channels to help raise awareness and educate the public on the complex dynamics of domestic violence. A national Week of Action is planned for October 17-23, 2022, designed to engage advocates, partners, and the public in starting a national conversation. Watch for announcements from the Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program (IVPP) and the Title IX Office about additional Domestic Violence Awareness Month events and activities.

It’s important to know that anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or socio-economic status, can experience domestic violence. According to NNEDV, one in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes. In addition, a 2016 report from the National Center for Transgender Equality found that more than half (54%) of transgender individuals surveyed had experienced intimate partner violence.

Resources: 

As a reminder, Howard University’s Policy Prohibiting Sex and Gender-Based Discrimination, Sexual Misconduct and Retaliation (aka, the Title IX Policy) defines Dating and Domestic Violence as a pattern of controlling behaviors used by one partner (or former partner) in a relationship to control the other partner. These behaviors can include physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological or emotional abuse (e.g., verbal abuse, threats, controlling someone’s actions, isolating someone from friends and family), and/or economic abuse (e.g., taking a partner’s money, or disrupting a person’s ability to work or study). Concerns about dating or domestic violence involving members of the University community can be reported to the Title IX Office, the Department of Public Safety (DPS), and/or local law enforcement. If you ever believe that you or someone else is in immediate danger, you should call 911 if it is safe to do so. You may also seek confidential support services - such as advocacy, counseling, or medical attention - from the Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program (IVPP) or any of the other confidential on- or off-campus resources listed here. Free and confidential help is also available 24/7 via the National Domestic Violence Hotline at TheHotline.org or 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).

Prevention: 

All members of the Howard University community can play a role in helping to prevent dating and domestic violence, and all forms of sex and gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence. In addition to responding to reports and providing support to members of our community who experience dating and domestic violence, the University offers resources to educate and empower students, faculty, and staff to help prevent dating and domestic violence:

• The Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program (IVPP) provides prevention training programs that educate and empower students to create healthy relationships and recognize the warning signs of unhealthy or potentially abusive relationships, in addition to providing advocacy and support services.
• Required Online Title IX & Prevention Training for All Students - All Howard University undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are required to complete online Sexual Assault Prevention training that includes information on dating and domestic violence, creating healthy relationships, recognizing unhealthy or abusive relationships, bystander intervention, supporting survivors, and accessing the available resources on and off campus for prevention and response.
• Required Online Harassment & Discrimination Prevention Training for All Faculty and Staff - All Howard University faculty and staff are required to complete online training in preventing harassment and discrimination, which includes information on recognizing and preventing dating and domestic violence, accessing reporting and support resources, supporting students and responding to reports, fulfilling their related Title IX reporting requirements, and bystander intervention.
• If you need counseling related to dating or domestic violence prevention, contact the University Counseling Service. For spiritual guidance, you can contact the Office of the Chaplains.