Over the past 30 years, since October 1987, Domestic Violence Awareness Month was launched. It is a way to connect victims and those who are willing to help to overcome and put an end to domestic violence.

On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. Adding to 10 million women and men a year. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking. That has impacts such as injury, fearfulness, post-traumatic stress disorder, use of victim services, contraction of sexually transmitted diseases, etc. 

There are a lot of signs for someone being a domestic abuser. Some signs are being possessive/controlling, showing extreme jealousy when you are with friends, insulting/demeaning you, pressuring you to perform sexual acts, destroying your belongings, etc. It may be hard to notice these when you first start the relationship, at first they may seem as ideal partners, but it can all change over time.   

If you are a victim of domestic violence, then here are some ways to get help! There is a Domestic Violence hotline that pops up when you search ‘Domestic Violence’. If you can’t find a chance to call in, their number is 887788.  If you can’t reach out either of those ways, getting into therapy and talking about it to your therapist can really help too. If you’re still going to school, try talking to a school counselor or teacher that you trust. Seek any help you can get.