There is a common belief that domestic violence increases during the holidays. It is important to remember that while the stress of the holidays can exacerbate domestic violence, the holidays and stress itself do not cause domestic violence. Domestic violence abusers are solely responsible for creating the intentional context of power and control over their victim that is domestic violence.

The Legal Assistance for Victims Project (LAV Project) at KCSDV is building an LAV Attorney Network of trauma informed attorneys across the state. It is connecting and providing sexual assault survivors with crucial legal assistance and representation they need. The LAV Project seeks to fund legal representation for the various issues that victims of non-intimate partner sexual violence encounter. A non-intimate partner is a person who is not a current or former spouse or current or former dating partner. A non-intimate partner includes family members, neighbors, friends, acquaintances, and coworkers.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (TDVAM). This month is dedicated to increasing awareness about dating abuse within teenage relationships and the resources that are available for teen victims and survivors. Teen dating violence is more common than many people think. Nearly 1.5 million high school students nationwide experience physical abuse from a dating partner in a single year. 1 in 3 adolescents in the US is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner.

Thank you to everyone who joined the efforts during this challenging year to end domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence. Victims advocacy services are still available at no cost to victims across the state – 24/7/365. Since mid-March, KCSDV, like others across the state, the nation, and the world, has been deep into the work of responding and adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic.