October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (#DVAM). Though not officially observed until 1989, Domestic Violence Awareness Month has been observed since 1987, when it evolved from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s first Day of Unity. Because of DVAM, sexual and domestic violence agencies spend every October not only mourning those we have lost and celebrating survivors of domestic violence, but also re-rooting in community and the values that we believe will ultimately end violence. DVAM is a time when anti-violence agencies dig deep and reach far, often planning their largest annual events and attempting to reach the broadest possible range of people with their work.
More than ever before, there is a collective feeling in the movement that we need “all hands on deck” to make sustainable, revolutionary change. In collaboration with our member agencies, we’ve created this clickable map resource highlighting DVAM events across the state in the month of October. Our hope is that this resource will help the general public plug into anti-violence work in their communities, garner support for sexual and domestic violence agencies’ fundraising and engagement efforts, and help agencies connect across regions.
We are energized by the scope of DVAM events in Virginia this month, which range from bike rides in nature centers, to art exhibits, to political actions on courthouse steps. The array of events is as multifaceted and diverse as our movement, and as Virginia itself.
Emily Robinson is the Development and Engagement Coordinator at the Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance where she works with the Development and Outreach Team to support members and engage the broader community in the work of ending sexual and domestic violence in Virginia.
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