The St. Mary’s County Family Violence Coordinating Council would like to announce that October is national Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
This annual observance is a time to educate the public about domestic violence as a serious public health issue, mourn those who have died because of domestic violence and celebrate those who have survived an abusive relationship.
Domestic violence is behavior used to gain power and control over an intimate partner, and abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, sex and socioeconomic background. Approximately one-third of American women report being beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime, according to the Family Violence Prevention Fund.
In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed, and that year also marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline.
St. Mary’s County has a local 24-hour crisis hotline as well, operated by Walden/Sierra since 1973 and sponsored by the St. Mary’s County Government (301-863-6661). Counselors are available at any time of day or night to provide confidential help and support to victims of domestic violence in need of emergency assistance or trauma counseling. St. Mary’s County is also fortunate to have strong, effective partnerships in place among agencies involved in the Family Violence Coordinating Council dedicated to providing the best possible services for victims and their children.
The St. Mary’s County Family Violence Coordinating Council encourages members of the Southern Maryland community to speak out against domestic violence and urges those who are in violent or abusive relationships to seek help.
This annual observance is a time to educate the public about domestic violence as a serious public health issue, mourn those who have died because of domestic violence and celebrate those who have survived an abusive relationship.
Domestic violence is behavior used to gain power and control over an intimate partner, and abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, sex and socioeconomic background. Approximately one-third of American women report being beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime, according to the Family Violence Prevention Fund.
In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed, and that year also marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline.
St. Mary’s County has a local 24-hour crisis hotline as well, operated by Walden/Sierra since 1973 and sponsored by the St. Mary’s County Government (301-863-6661). Counselors are available at any time of day or night to provide confidential help and support to victims of domestic violence in need of emergency assistance or trauma counseling. St. Mary’s County is also fortunate to have strong, effective partnerships in place among agencies involved in the Family Violence Coordinating Council dedicated to providing the best possible services for victims and their children.
The St. Mary’s County Family Violence Coordinating Council encourages members of the Southern Maryland community to speak out against domestic violence and urges those who are in violent or abusive relationships to seek help.
