October Activitea: National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Introduction

• October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

• This month was first declared as DVAM in 1989 (first observed in 1987).

• Domestic violence im  pacts around 12 million people per year in the United States alone.

• Abortion restrictions and abortion bans have led to a significant increase in intimate partner violence, and in some cases, deadly violence.

• Abortion bans also reinforce the dangerous cycles of poverty and abuse.

• Elaboration

• When seeking abortion care, survivors of domestic violence face additional unique barriers.

• Abortion can feel like an option that is completely out of reach for some survivors. 

• Since the Dobbs decision, abusive partners have weaponized abortion bans as they try to exert power and control over people’s reproductive health decisions. 

• Reproductive coercion is a form of domestic violence where an abuser can disrupt contraception, interfere with birth control, impregnate someone against their will, control the outcomes of a pregnancy, or otherwise impede a person’s bodily autonomy.

• Reproductive coercion is especially dangerous in the current political landscape.

• Honoring Gabriella Gonzalez

• In May 2023, 26-year-old Gabriella Gonzalez, a loving mother of three, was killed by her boyfriend in Dallas after returning from Colorado, where she sought abortion care. Gabriella had courageously reported her boyfriend's abuse and was attempting to end their relationship when her life was taken. Her story highlights the heartbreaking intersection of abortion access and domestic violence. 

• Our Asks

• Learn how to identify abuse, advocate for survivors of domestic violence, and familiarize yourself with resources so that you can share them with anyone in need

• If able, provide emotional support and/or material support to survivors and encourage safety planning.

• Our Tools

• To find verified abortion care and support: https://www.abortionfinder.org/

• To find travel and logistical support: https://apiaryps.org/pso-list 

• To find guidance for keeping abortion care confidential and private: https://digitaldefensefund.org/ddf-guides/abortion-privacy 

• Our Resources

• National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7)

• 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224

• Text “START” to 88788

• https://www.thehotline.org/ 

• Love is Respect (National Dating Abuse Helpline)

• 1-866-331-9474 or TTY 1-866-331-8453 

• Text “loveis” to 22522 

• Live chat: www.loveisrespect.org

• RAINN - Rape Abuse Incest National Network

• 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE)

• Secure chat: https://hotline.rainn.org/online 

• Domestic Violence Awareness Project

•  https://www.dvawareness.org/

• Conclusion

• Only the person going through an experience knows what is right for their body and future.

• Every person deserves to feel safe and live thriving lives without the fear of any kind of violence.

• Help is available, no matter what challenges you are facing.

• Call to Action

• Familiarize yourself with signs of abuse; they aren’t always physical. 

• Start a conversation because talking about abuse is hard.

• Wear purple this month in solidarity with survivors. 

• If you can, donate your time or money to organizations supporting survivors of domestic violence.