What is the history of Domestic Violence Awareness Month?
*Adapted from the 1996 Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resource Manual of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the “Day of Unity” held in October 1981 and conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children.
The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national levels. The activities conducted were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes:
- Mourning those who have died because of domestic violence
- Celebrating those who have survived
- Connecting those who work to end violence
These three themes remain a key focus of DVAM events today. 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 that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Such legislation has passed every year since with NCADV providing key leadership in this effort. Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Domestic Violence Awareness Events
Read the stories of domestic violence on each of the silhouettes displayed downtown at the Lynchburg Community Market and pick up information about your YWCA.
This will be a socially distant opportunity where you can see the silhouettes when you come to the market for your shopping.
Trauma: The Unintended Consequences of COVID-19
Join YWCA Central Virginia and our partner at Impact Living Services, Christina Hayes, LPC, to learn more about the ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic effected domestic and intimate partner violence in our area. This training is geared towards those seeking to learn more about domestic violence versus those in the field.
While the training will be provided for free, registration is required.
- To register in advance for this webinar please click the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nPaq_paoS9a6YMY7bfynIA - After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
**This event will be provided via Zoom to abide by all CDC and Virginia Department of Health best practices. **
Join YWCA’s Domestic Violence Prevention Program at our annual candlelight vigil held in Nelson County.
This event is held in partnership with Nelson County Victim Witness, Nelson County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Nelson County Sherriff’s Office, Nelson County Domestic Violence Task Force, and the Rockfish Baptist Association of Virginia and Rev. Rodney Sandidge.
- Event Start Time: 6:00PM
- Event Location: Nelson County Heritage Center
1653 Thomas Nelson Hwy
Arrington, VA 22922 - This event will be held outside and all recommendations from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health will be upheld. Please socially distance at the event.
Join YWCA’s Domestic Violence Prevention Program at our candlelight vigil held at the University of Lynchburg.
This event is held in partnership with the University of Lynchburg and Alpha Chi.
- Event Start Time: 6:30PM
- Event Location: University of Lynchburg Campus
1501 Lakeside Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24501 - This event will be held outside and all recommendations from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health will be upheld. Please socially distance at the event.
Join YWCA’s Domestic Violence Prevention Program at our annual candlelight vigil held in Campbell County.
This event is held in partnership with Campbell County Victim Witness, Campbell County’s Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Friends of Frannie’s House, and Campbell County Sheriff’s Office.
- Event Start Time: 6:00pm
- Event Location: Campbell County Court House
732 Village Hwy
Rustburg, VA 24588 - This event will be held outside and all recommendations from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health will be upheld. Please socially distance at the event.
About Week Without Violence
YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. For more than 20 years, we have set aside one week in October as a Week Without Violence – a week to raise awareness and engage action to end the broad spectrum of violence – as part of a global movement with World YWCA to end violence against women and girls.
At YWCA, we know that not all violence is acknowledged or responded to equally and that some victims go unrecognized altogether. That’s why, for the last several years, we have focused on ending gender-based violence, including domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and harassment.
We invite you to join us from October 18 – 24 as we share information, elevate stories, talk with policymakers, and raise awareness with a common goal in mind: together, we can end gender-based violence.
New Virginia Gun Laws & Domestic Violence Protective Orders
Please join the YWCA Domestic Violence Prevention Program staff and Bethany Harrison, the Commonwealth Attorney of Lynchburg, VA to discuss the new changes to Virginia gun laws and how they effect Protective Orders for Domestic Violence victims.
While the training will be provided for free, registration is required.
- To register in advance for this webinar please click the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mQryU_USR4-rYkWGjIgdAQ - After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
**This event will be provided via Zoom to abide by all CDC and Virginia Department of Health best practices. **
Join YWCA’s Domestic Violence Prevention Program at our annual candlelight vigil held in Amherst County.
This event is held in partnership with Amherst County Victim Witness, Amherst County Sherriff’s Office, Amherst County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Amherst Town Police, and Mt. Olive Baptist Church and Rev. Kelvin Brown.
- Event Start Time: 6:00PM
- Event Location: Amherst County Courthouse,
113 Taylor Street
Amherst, VA 24521 - This event will be held outside and all recommendations from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health will be upheld. Please socially distance at the event.
Join YWCA’s Domestic Violence Prevention Program at our annual candlelight vigil held in Appomattox.
This event is held in partnership with Appomattox Victim Witness, Appomattox Sherriff’s Office, and Appomattox Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.
- Event Start Time: 6:00PM
- Event Location: Appomattox Memorial Park
217 Atwood Street
Appomattox, VA 24522 - This event will be held outside and all recommendations from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health will be upheld. Please socially distance at the event.
Support YWCA Central Virginia and show your advocacy and awareness of Domestic Violence Awareness Month with this limited edition t-shirt or sweatshirt available here:
https://www.bonfire.com/2021-domestic-violence-awareness-month/
* All proceeds support YWCA of Central Virginia.
The following businesses, organizations, and communities of faith will have displays in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in partnership with YWCA Central Virginia. We sincerely appreciate their dedication to making sure every home and relationship is a safe one.
- Appomattox County Administration Building – 153-A Morton Ln, Appomattox, VA 24522
- Berean Baptist Church – 1400 Greenview Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502
- Centra Health Systems – Lynchburg General Hospital & Virginia Baptist Hospital
- Hyland Heights Baptist Church – 11452 Wards Road, Rustburg, VA 24588
- Rocks Baptist Church – 393 Rocks Church Rd, Pamplin, VA 23958
- Tree of Life Ministries – 2812 Greenview Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24502
The following businesses, organizations, and communities of faith will be holding events for their communities. We appreciate their dedication to education about domestic violence and prevention.
- Rocks Baptist Church – Pamplin, VA
Also, throughout the month of October, our counties and communities will participate in the “Purple Porch Challenge” to decorate their front porches to show their support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Participants are encouraged to send pictures of their purple porches to communications@ywcacva.org to be shared on our social media pages!
