Press Release: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:
Lucca Wang, Communications Coordinator
lwang@kcsdv.org
Office: 785-232-9784 Extension 335
Mobile: 785-633-6648

TOPEKA, KS – The Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV) recognizes the 30th anniversary of Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October. The Month is dedicated to increasing awareness about domestic violence and how widespread domestic violence is.

In one year in Kansas, about 19,000 victims are served and about 24,000 phone calls are taken by KCSDV’s 27 coalition members, which are independent organizations across the state of Kansas that provide direct services to victims and survivors.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that “intimate partner violence [also known as “domestic violence”] is a serious, preventable public health problem that affects millions of Americans.” 25 percent of women and 11 percent of men are affected by sexual and domestic violence in the U.S. in their lifetimes according to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey; the underreporting of these violent crimes is widely known.

purple domestic violence advocacy ribbonThe term “domestic violence” means intimate partner violence. Intimate partner violence can take many forms and describes physical, sexual, financial, and emotional and psychological harm –in the dating process, which is called “dating violence,” and by a current or former partner or spouse. The violence can occur among heterosexual, same-sex, or any other type of intimate partner relationship and does not require sexual intimacy.

KCSDV submitted proclamations to Topeka Mayor Larry Wolgast and to Kansas Governor Sam Brownback.

“Proclamations by community leaders signify the importance of domestic violence work. We are so grateful for our partner lawmakers, organizations and agencies, and individuals that contribute and work with us in our mission to prevent and eliminate sexual and domestic violence,” said Joyce Grover, Executive Director of the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV).

For Domestic Violence Awareness Month, KCSDV is publishing writing pieces on domestic violence every Monday and Thursday at 10 a.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT) in the month of Oct. The writings will debut KCSDV’s new blog, where more conversational writing pieces on subjects related to KCSDV’s work will be published. KCSDV is partnering with national and local organizations for events in the month of Oct. There are activities for Domestic Violence Awareness Month across the nation by national and other state organizations and across Kansas by local Kansas organizations.

List of KCSDV Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities in October:

  • Blog posts every Monday and Thursday mornings (Oct. 2, 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30 at 10 a.m. CDT), including topics and writings:
    • History of Domestic Violence Awareness Month
    • Power and control wheel
    • Former Kansas attorney general as a survivor
    • Member of Women for Kansas as a survivor
    • Leader of Kansas Legal Services as an attorney
    • Witnessing intimate partner violence as a friend
  • National online Twitter chat #safety4survivors with the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) (Oct. 17 at 1-2 p.m. CDT)
  • Victory Over Violence 5 kilometer walk and run by Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and STAND student organizations at Washburn University in Topeka, KS (Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. CDT)
  • Wearing purple on Purple Thursday (Oct. 19)

For more information about domestic violence, a list of domestic violence organizations across the state of Kansas, and for the nearest domestic violence organization near you, please visit KCSDV’s website at https://kcsdv.org

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The Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV) is a leading statewide voice for victims and survivors and works with over 25 coalition members across the state of Kansas to prevent and eliminate domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Find services, resources and a listing of trainings on KCSDV’s website at https://www.kcsdv.org. Contact KCSDV by email at coalition@kcsdv.org or by phone at 785-232-9784.

The 24-hour Kansas Crisis Hotline is 888-END-ABUSE (888-363-2287).

PDF of this release

KANSAS CRISIS HOTLINE: 888-END-ABUSE | 888-363-2287

Last Updated on Jan 21, 2019