October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The Hospitality House in Rome is sponsoring and holding a series of events including the Fifth Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes throughout the month of October.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the "Day of Unity" in October, 1981 and was conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  The intent was to connect advocates across the nation in working to end violence against women and their children.  The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national levels.  In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed.  That same year marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline.  In 1989, the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of the year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Domestic Violence is a pattern of abusive behavior or coercive control in any relationship that is used by one person to gain or maintain power and control over another.

Anyone can be abused. The abuse is not the fault of the victim.

1 in 4 females will be a victim of Domestic Violence in their lifetime.

15.5 million children in the U.S. witness Domestic Violence every year.

Domestic violence is the most common source of injury to women.

5-10 percent of domestic violence victims are men, although this is a highly under-reported number due to society’s stigmas.

Domestic Violence affects everyone in the community.

For more information or to Get Help call the Hospitality House at 706-235-4673 or the Local 24hour Crisis Line at 1-800-33-HAVEN

 

The Hospitality House Fifth Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes will be Friday, Oct. 19 with registration from 11 a.m. to noon or you can pre-register online at www.hospitality-house.org. Men, women, children and pets are invited. 



Panel Discussions, 7 Hill Rotary Club, will meet at the Coosa Country Club at Noon Oct. 23.  Advocates, therapists and law enforcement will share perspectives on domestic and dating violence. 

 

The Hospitality House for Women’s Annual Meeting, St. Peters Episcopal Church will meet Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. in the Daniel Hall.  Refreshments will be served to celebrate the successes the agency has experienced within the last year.