Awareness/Event promotions Articles

The History of Domestic Violence Awareness

October 1981 brought us the first "Day of Unity," which turned into a week and then a month. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) was the originator of the concept. The NCADV intended to join organizations around the nation advocating for battered women and working to end violence against women and children. The Day of Unity was designed to connect these advocates, mourn those who had died due to domestic violence and celebrate the survivors.

In 1987, the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline was introduced and the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed in October of the same year, with the Day of Unity celebrated on the first Monday of the month. This tradition has been carried on through today with the passing of Public Law 101-112 in 1989 designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month; such legislation has been passed each year since.

National Domestic Violence Facts and Stats

• Twenty-five percent of women in the U.S. have experienced domestic violence at some point in their lives
• Women account for 85% of the victims of intimate partner violence
• Domestic violence does not just affect women: between 100,000 and 6 million men are victims of domestic violence each year
• At greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence are women 20-24 years of age as well as men and women who are separated or divorced
• Domestic violence does not discriminate; it affects men and women of all races and status
• Almost three quarters of Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence
• More than three women (and more than one man) are murdered on average each day as a result of domestic violence

Promote Domestic Violence Awareness

It's overwhelming how many people in this country are victims of domestic violence. Education and awareness are the first steps toward prevention. October is nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Men, women and children gather each year to celebrate the victory of surviving domestic violence while mourning those who were not so fortunate.

No one should be forced to live in fear of his or her spouse, partner or parent. Even with the progress that has been made since that first Day of Unity in 1981, it's shocking how many cases of domestic violence are still reported and the fact that many more go unreported each day. Promoting domestic violence awareness can only aid the cause and push toward a future where men, women and children know how to stand up to and escape domestic violence. Show your company's support of this noble cause with domestic violence awareness month giveaways, and invite your customers and clients to be a part of it.

About the Author: Darcy Elizabeth is an e-marketing specialist for Motivators, a Long Island based promotional products distributor. The company's website, Motivators.com boasts a fantastic selection of promotional products to create the best marketing value for your brand.