October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. What can you do? Here are my suggestions, so feel free to do other positive things too:
- Post your support on social media. I have been posting statistics and things that people who have never experienced it may have never realized.
- Believe people when they say they are in abuse. Listen. Ask if they are safe, how you can help them, and what they currently need.
- Donate much needed goods to your local DV shelter, such as: cleaning supplies, personal supplies like deodorant, feminine products, toothpaste. Call them and see what they specifically need.
- Check in on your “okay” friends. You never know what goes on behind closed doors! Especially if you notice dark posts, no postings for a while (if they’re regular posters), or are telling you they’re having a tough time.
- Volunteer for a DV shelter or advocacy group. Become informed.
- Through corporate donations – many corporations match employees’ donations, especially to the United Way. Our local United Way is one of our local advocacy’s sponsors. These donations can be small regular amounts directly out of your paycheck. Please donate only what you can truly afford!
- Participate in a DV walk/5K.
- Check into “trauma informed care” and “domestic violence in the workplace” classes/webinars. Many employers offer these already. Many online are free.
- Take a free class in “bystander intervention.” I found a free class here: https://www.traliant.com/. Even if you’ve never experienced it, if you see it going on, this course tells you how you can help as a bystander.