October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (#DVAM2024). Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a time to bring attention to interpersonal violence occurring in domestic and dating relationships. Annually Wildcats take the opportunity to focus on raising awareness, educating our community and supporting victims and survivors. Wildcats choose to care. Violence, fear and abuse have no place in our community; we prohibit domestic and dating violence and support survivors.

Interpersonal violence can take on many different forms - occurring between spouses, long-term partners, persons in situationships or on their first date. This type of abuse can be physical, sexual and emotional. In addition to injuries sustained because of violence, victims and survivors of domestic and dating violence may experience adverse long-term health consequences. Twenty percent of survivors report the onset of new psychiatric disorders after being abused. No form or type of abuse should be normalized or tolerated in our community.

Interpersonal violence is unfortunately pervasive. On average, 24 people per minute in the United States experience interpersonal violence, totaling more than 12 million per year. It is also misunderstood. Fifty-seven percent of college students find it difficult to identify domestic or dating violence, and 58% are not sure what to do to help.

This October, we encourage all Wildcats to make efforts to identify and prevent interpersonal violence. Resources and support for those affected, including information on hotlines, protective services, events and campus resources, are provided on the Domestic Violence Awareness Month webpage. Consider downloading a Zoom or Teams background to show visible support. If you or someone you know needs assistance, resources are available for employees and students on the Office of Institutional Equity website.