October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October 1, 2021

The issue of domestic violence and sexual harassment is a very real concern for institutions of higher education. As we return to campus, we must rededicate ourselves to cultivating and maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning and working environment free from sex and gender-based discrimination, harassment and violence. - President Wayne A.I. Frederick

Every October, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) and other leading advocacy organizations join with partners, supporters, and allies across the country to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM).

According to NNEDV, one in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence (also referred to as relationship violence or intimate partner violence) in their lifetimes, and 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. Anyone, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or socio-economic status, can become a victim or survivor of domestic violence. This year’s campaign theme, #Every1KnowsSome1, strives to highlight how common domestic violence is and that it includes more than just physical violence.

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 any of the following confidential campus resources:

In addition, you may seek help from a resource off campus, either here in the DC area or near where you live, whether in or outside of the United States. The following are links to local and national resources:

The following are links to international resources:

Prevention Resources: Every member of the Howard University community plays 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/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.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2021 Events

The following is a list of virtual events sponsored by local and national organizations, providing opportunities to get involved, learn more, and help raise awareness during DVAM. Look for announcements from the Title IX Office and the Interpersonal Violence Prevention Program (IVPP) about additional DVAM events and activities. (Note: The following are community events and are not sponsored by Howard University.)

Friday, October 1, 2:00 PM ET
NATIONAL CALL FOR UNITY: NO SURVIVOR JUSTICE WITHOUT RACIAL JUSTICE
Sponsored by The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NCRDV)
Join NCRDV as they kick off DVAM 2021 by featuring the voices, experiences, and calls to action of Black women survivors and advocates. This year's call for unity centers on the theme for DVAM 2021, No Survivor Justice Without Racial Justice, and offers an opportunity and invitation to connect, rest, and fully embody this work. With representatives from: National Resource Center on Domestic Violence; White House Gender Policy Council; Family Violence Prevention and Services Program; My F.O.C.U.S., LLC; H.A.I.R, Healthy Actions Intervening Responsibly; and A Call to Men. Learn more and register here.

Wednesday, October 13, 6:30 - 8:30 PM ET
COFFEE AND CONVERSATION: EXPLORING THE INTERSECTIONS OF BLACK QUEER SURVIVORS
Sponsored by Ujima, Inc.: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community
Panelists: Diamond Collier, Executive Director, Black Transwomen Inc.; Melissa Deveraux, Director of Operations, Baltimore Safe Haven; and Romeo Jackson, Political Education Coordinator at BYP 100. Learn more and register here.

Wednesday, October 20, 2:00 PM ET
FACEBOOK LIVE EVENT/ELEVATING LGBTQ VOICES
Sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control’s Division of Violence Prevention
A live conversation between the CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention, the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, and the National LGBTQ Institute on IPV to elevate the voices of LGBTQ communities and the health disparities they experience related to interpersonal/relationship violence. More information and event link to be posted here.

Thursday, October 21, All Day
PURPLE THURSDAY!
Sponsored by DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCCADV)
This Purple Thursday, make a fashion statement that really says something: wear something purple in honor of survivors! Tee shirts, masks, scarves, totes, bandanas, eye/nail color, signage – the only limit is your imagination! Post photos of yourself in your purple gear and a message of support for survivors using #PurpleThursday and #SpreadLoveDC. Please tag us at @DCCADV!

Thursday, October 21, 2:00 - 3:00 PM ET
USING 12 COMPREHENSIVE PRIMARY PREVENTION SKILLS AND THE SOCIAL ECOLOGICAL MODEL TO MOVE UPSTREAM
Sponsored by Men Can Stop Rape
Moving upstream has become a common analogy for primary prevention and addressing the root causes of gender-based violence. MCSR has combined moving upstream with 12 comprehensive primary prevention skills applied to the four levels of the social ecological model. Catch MCSR’s Executive Director Neil Irvin, MCSR’s Director of Strategy and Planning Pat McGann, and MCSR’s Senior Director of National Programs Jason Page exploring how we can move upstream strategically and comprehensively. The conversation will be live streamed on Men Can Stop Rape's YouTube Channel where you can submit questions in the chat box or tweet them to @mencanstoprape using the hashtag #MCSRseries. Learn more here. 

Thursday, October 21, 6:00 - 7:00 PM ET
STAND UP AGAINST STREET HARASSMENT - BYSTANDER INTERVENTION TRAINING (Webinar)
Sponsored by DC Office of Human Rights
The DC Office of Human Rights, Hollaback!, and L’Oréal Paris are joining forces to ensure everyone’s self-worth with our Stand Up Against Street Harassment Bystander Intervention Training. Stand Up uses Hollaback!’s 5 Ds methodology to help people safely intervene when they experience or witness harassment in public spaces. Our goal is to train 2,000 Washingtonians before the end of 2021 and to ultimately build a culture where street harassment is seen as unacceptable behavior. Register here.

Friday, October 22, 12:00 – 2:00 PM ET
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE MARGINS: THE INTERSECTION OF IDENTITY, EXPERIENCE, AND TRAUMA
Sponsored by The Person Center
This webinar, presented by The Person Center, will include an introduction to the diversity among domestic violence survivors, the problem of mainstream perceptions of domestic violence, as well as the disproportionate impact of domestic, sexual, and dating violence on African/Afro- Latino/Afro-Arab/Black communities. This webinar will feature voices from academia, the advocacy sector, and social services. The Person Center (TPC) is a project of Ujima and supports African immigrants who are experiencing or have experienced intimate partner violence, dating violence, or domestic violence, including sexual assault. Learn more and request webinar registration information here.

Friday, October 22, 7:00 – 9:00 PM ET
DEAF POETRY JAM/TRIVIA NIGHT
Sponsored by DAWN
Join DAWN for a DEAF/HOH trivia night and talent show, showcasing performers from across the nation together for one night of amazing performances! Let’s come together for a night of art, fun, and amazing talent! DAWN is a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and transformative justice-based agency whose mission is to promote healthy relationships and reduce abuse in the Deaf community of the Washington, DC, area through direct services and education. Register here and learn more about DAWN at deafdawn.org.

Monday, October 25, 4:00 - 5:00 PM ET
SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF DATING VIOLENCE: STUDENT RIGHTS, SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS & SURVIVOR VOICES
Sponsored by Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC)
Learn about the rights and options available for student survivors of dating violence and the partnerships that make it possible. Learn more and register here.

Tuesday, October 26, 12:00 - 1:00 PM ET
NVRDC DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES
Sponsored by Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC)
Join Network for Victim Recovery of DC (NVRDC), one of the local off-campus resources for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (and all crime), to learn about their FREE and trauma-informed services for survivors of dating and domestic violence in the District of Columbia. Learn more and register here.

Tuesday, October 26, 6:30 - 8:00 PM ET
"I'LL PULL UP": AN INTER-GENERATIONAL CONVERSATION ON DATING CULTURE, SOCIAL NORMS, AND VIOLENCE #LoveIsn'tToxic
Sponsored by Ujima, Inc.: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community
Join Ujima, Inc. for coffee and conversation to explore generational differences in dating relationships including dating dynamics, gendered expectations, and how various forms of IPV may present. This conversation will explore the normalization of unhealthy behaviors in dating relationships and the necessity for Black love role models. Panelists: Dr. Derrick Gordon, Professor, Yale University; Dr. Stephanie Hargrove, Clinical Associate, Duke University Medical Center; Shawn Muhammad, Associate Director, The Asha Family Services, Inc. Learn more and register here.

Find More DVAM Events And Activities:

DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCCADV) - DVAM 2021 CALENDAR
In honor of survivors, our partners in DC host events throughout the month to highlight healthy relationships and assist advocates as they support survivors navigating dating and domestic violence. Check out the events listed here and on this PDF, and follow the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence (DCCADV) on social media for updates throughout the month!

Ujima, Inc.: The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community - DVAM 2021 ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Ujima's mission is to mobilize the community to respond to and end domestic, sexual, and community violence in the Black community. We actualize this mission through research, public awareness, community engagement, and resource development. View Ujima's full list of DVAM 2021 activities and events here.

READ THE WHITE HOUSE PROCLAMATION ON NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH, 2021

Categories

Title IX