October Is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Awareness, Action, and Community Change

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. But this month is not just about wearing purple ribbons or sharing posts on social media — it’s a call to action. It’s a time for individuals and communities to learn, to care, and to take real steps toward making a difference in the lives of survivors and families affected by domestic violence.

Understanding Domestic Violence: More Than Physical Abuse

Domestic violence isn’t always visible. While physical abuse is often the most recognized form, it’s only one part of the story. Abuse can also be emotional, psychological, financial, sexual, digital, spiritual, reproductive, and verbal. At its core, domestic violence is about coercion and control.

And it’s not a private matter. Domestic violence is a community issue. We are all connected. Survivors — and perpetrators — live in our neighborhoods. They work in our businesses, attend our schools and places of worship, visit our hospitals, shop at our grocery stores, and seek housing in our communities.

When one household is impacted by domestic violence, the ripple effects touch us all. It affects public health, economic stability, and community well-being. It perpetuates trauma across generations. Domestic Violence Awareness Month isn’t just about recognizing that abuse exists — it’s about how we respond as a society and what we do to change it.

The Impact Is Real — And It’s Local

In 2023, the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) reported 120 domestic violence-related deaths in our state. In 2024, over 51,000 survivors sought help from public agencies across Illinois.

Closer to home, in McHenry County alone, from January 1 to September 1, 2025, there were 275 domestic violence arrests and 70 additional arrests for violations of orders of protection, according to the McHenry County Circuit Court Safe-T Act database.

These aren’t just numbers. These are people. And chances are high that someone you know — a friend, a coworker, a family member — has been impacted by domestic violence.

Systems Must Do Better

Unfortunately, our systems don’t always respond well to survivors. Agencies like DCFS, healthcare providers, courts, housing authorities, and even community organizations often fail to coordinate effectively — and some inadvertently cause more harm.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity to reflect and push for change. Not just to say “domestic violence is wrong,” but to ask ourselves deeper questions:

• Are survivors able to get safe, stable housing?

• Do they have to choose between safety and employment?

• Are our systems reducing harm or just going through the motions?

This month is about advocating for more than awareness — it’s about transforming our systems to uplift, support, and empower survivors.

Survivors Are Not Broken — They Are Brave

Working in the domestic violence field, the most inspiring thing I witness is the strength and resilience of survivors. Too often, society paints survivors as weak or broken, people to be pitied.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Survivors are resilient.
They are courageous.
They are determined.

They don’t need pity. They need support, kindness, and action.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is not just about violence. It’s about resilience, resourcefulness, and hope. Survivors are more than what happened to them. They are what they overcome. They are their healing journey. They are empowered choices and bold futures.

We Can All Make a Difference

I believe that small actions — taken consistently — can change ourselves, our communities, and the world. This month is about raising awareness and honoring survivors, but also about imagining and creating a community where domestic violence no longer thrives.

Here are some small, tangible actions you can take to support survivors and help your community heal:

10 Ways You Can Make a Difference:

1. Support Turning Point or your local domestic violence agency with donations or by spreading the word.

2. Educate your children and model healthy relationships.

3. Believe survivors. Listen without judgment and connect them to resources.

4. Volunteer your time at Turning Point or other local support organizations.

5. Donate needed goods. Check the wishlist of your local agency.

6. Attend awareness events such as candlelight vigils or Take Back the Night rallies.

7. Advocate and vote for policies that support survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

8. Encourage your employer to offer domestic violence leave and training — or invite a local agency to speak.

9. Use your social media to share information and resources about domestic violence.

10. Challenge victim-blaming when you hear it — even in casual conversation.

And above all — keep learning. Read books. Watch documentaries. Listen to survivors’ stories. Educate yourself and others.

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Credits
Julie Fanning is the Director of Program Services at Turning Point.  She is a clinically licensed social worker in Illinois with a doctorate in social work.  Dr. Fanning has over 25 years of experience.  In addition to domestic violence, her social work passions include working with trauma and how individuals navigate moral injury. She also focuses on social workers’ explicit and implicit beliefs and behaviors regarding mental illness and weight stigma/fat phobia to educate and help decrease stigmatization and discriminate against vulnerable populations.

Editor
Cameron Schott, Marketing & Outreach Associate