Each year, in October, Domestic Violence agencies all across the country plan and implement a variety of activities. This is in an effort to bring awareness to an epidemic that is plaguing the daily lives of many of us. With U.S. statistics stating that, 1 in 4 women (12) and 1 in 6 men (13) will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, there is an extreme likelihood that every person reading this knows someone who has been personally affected by this.

This year, Northwest Assistance Ministries,Family Violence Center, is spearheading an amazing campaign that YOU can be a part of! This Resource Guide will explain the ways YOU can spread awareness about domestic violence during the month of October and show victims that they ARE NOT ALONE. For more information about how you can be involved in this year’s campaign please contact the FVC at (281) 885-4673.

MEMORIAL GARDEN

Over the last 5 years, Texas has seen an average of 121 women who have lost their lives each year due to domestic violence. We have created a Memorial Garden, as a place of remembrance, and to honor those women and the families that suffered their loss. The women and their stories will be represented by purple flags placed at the top of the garden.The Memorial Garden is located in front of the main NAM building at 15555 Kuykendahl Rd, Houston TX 77090.

How You Can Get Involved:

  • Sign a yellow flag to show your support and let victims know they ARE NOT ALONE in this crisis. We are asking the local community to show their support in the fight against domestic violence by signing the enclosed YELLOW flag and placing it in the garden below the PURPLE flags. We would love to meet with you or a representative from your organization, so please let us know when you will be stopping by our building and we can schedule a meeting/tour. Additional flags are available, FREE of charge, at the Corner Resale Store located in the NAM building.(Note: If you are receiving this electronically, please contact the FVC at 281-885-4673 to be provided with a yellow flag).

SOCIAL MEDIA POSTING

  • We have compiled a list of posts (see page 3) that you can use to educate your friends and family on your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media accounts. These posts include information on domestic violence statistics, warning signs, and where to find help.
  • From your Facebook account you can “LIKE” the Northwest Assistance Ministries Facebook page for more posts, during the month, that you can share with your FB friends.
  • Snap a picture of you or a group of people, holding the #YouAreNotAloneDV YELLOW flag(see page 4) to show your support. Then UPLOAD it to your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter pages!! Don’t forget to use #YouAreNotAloneDV in your post.

OUTREACH POSTERS

We have included copies of 3 outreach posters (see pages 5-8) designed specifically for YOU to use personally or at your organization. The posters are available with both Spanish and English wording and includes our 24- HOUR HOTLINE number.

Please feel free to photocopy them and use them in your offices, around your building, on bulletin boards, or even in restrooms.

LEARN THE FACTS

Domestic violence (DV) can happen to anyone in any community regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. Domestic violence constitutes the willful intimidation, assault, battery, sexual assault or other abusive behavior perpetrated by family member, household member or intimate partner against another. National data indicates that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 (12) men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime.

  • On average, 24 people per minute are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States. Over the course of a year, that equals more than 12 million women and men. (1)
  • Approximately 33 million (15%) of all U.S. adults admit that they have been a victim of domestic violence. Six in ten adults claim that they know someone personally who has experienced domestic violence. (2)
  • The cost of domestic violence exceeds 5.8 billion dollars each year in the United States. (3)
  • One in four women is the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner. (5)
  • The percentage of female victims (22%) of DV is about four times that of male victims (5%). (6)
  • Women 18-24 years of age are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence. (7)
  • Women who have been pregnant in the last five years report significantly higher rates (12%) of DV. (8)

Adults are not the only victims:

  • One in five children (20.3%) report witnessing a family assault during their lifetime. (9)
  • 75% of DV victims have children under the age of 18 at home. (10)
  • 5.2% of 9th graders and 8.2% of 11th graders experience at least one incident of physical dating violence. (11)

(1) The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. (2011). Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from (2) U.S. Census, July 2005. (3) Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States. (2003). Atlanta, GA: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from (5) NISVS, 2010. (6) Criminal Victimization, 2010. (2011). Bulletin. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics. Retrieved from (7) The California Women’s Health Survey (CWHS). (2009). The California Departments of Public Health, Health Care Services, Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Programs and Social Services and private partners the California Medical Review, Inc. (aka Lumetra) and the Public Health Institute. Retrieved from (8-9) CWHS, 2009. (10) Children’s Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey. (2009). Bulletin. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved from (11) CWHS, 2009. (12) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Intimate Partner Sexual Violence Survey, 2010 Summary Report, November 2011, p. 2,

(hereinafter, National Intimate Partner Sexual Violence Survey, 2010).

SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA POST

It's easy to spread awareness and inspire action against domestic violence. Tweet, pin, post, or adapt these sample posts below to share information and resources throughout the month. You can also “LIKE” the Northwest Assistance Ministries Facebook page and share our DVAM posts. DON’T FORGET TO #YouAreNotAloneDV in your post, so we can track the growth!!

  • October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Help end #DV in your community. #YouAreNotAloneDV
  • October is about prevention & helping #DV victims heal. Learn more or reach out to get help:#YouAreNotAloneDV
  • Help eradicate domestic violence from our communities by speaking out during #DVAM. Get the facts: #YouAreNotAloneDV
  • With 60% of Americans affected, celebrities are adding their voice to say #NOMORE to DV:#YouAreNotAloneDV
  • Domestic violence hurts entire communities. Spread awareness & help victims heal with resources and information: #YouAreNotAloneDV
  • It costs over $5.8 billion each year. #DomesticViolence knows no boundaries.

#YouAreNotAloneDV

  • Is it abuse? Find #DV warning signs & call @loveisrespect for support at any time! #YouAreNotAloneDV
  • Children who witness #DV are more likely to intervene, putting them at risk of injury or death. #DVAM Facts #YouAreNotAloneDV
  • 1 in 4 women & 1 in 7 men are victims. @NDVH Asks how do you #SeeDV in your community? #YouAreNotAloneDV
  • 1 in 3 female homicide victims was murdered by her current or former partner. Get the Facts on #DV

#YouAreNotAloneDV

  • Over 3 million children every year are exposed to #DV. #YouAreNotAloneDV
  • 1 in 4 women experience #DV. You probably know someone who could use help. Victim resources worth sharing #YouAreNotAloneDV
  • The costs of domestic violence: Children who are exposed to #DV are more likely to suffer long term health problems. #YouAreNotAloneDV
  • Over 60% of #DV crimes occur in the family home, but the effects of don't stay at home. #YouAreNotAloneDV
  • Women aged 20 to 24 are at greater risk of becoming #DV victims. Speak up, make a call. Find DV resources at #YouAreNotAloneDV
  • Young girls who witness #DV are more likely to become victims of abuse as adults. DVAM factsheet #YouAreNotAloneDV

SOCIAL MEDIA “SUPPORT FLAG”

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#YouAreNotAloneDV

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DIRECTIONS:

Cut out this flag (or fold along the designated lines) and take a picture alone or with a group holding the flag, to show your support of victims. Then UPLOAD it to your Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts to help raise awareness and show your support!!DON’T FORGET TO #YouAreNotAloneDV in your post, so we can track the growth!!

OUTREACH POSTERS

Family Violence Center

Phone: 281-885-HOPE (4673) Toll Free Number: 1-888-750-HOPE (4673)

15555 Kuykendahl Rd, Houston, TX 77090

The hope for a better life and the courage to take the first step must come from within, but NAM’s Family Violence Center (FVC) provides the resources to help clients find safe places, and offers support and the services to begin again on new paths. The FVC offers a 24-hour hotline, telephone crisis counseling, emergency shelter, emergency food, clothing, transportation, medical assistance, professional counseling services for adults and their children, community outreach, information and referrals for battering intervention programs, on-site law enforcement, legal referrals and court accompaniment. To access these services simply call the FVC Hotline at 281-885-4673.

When fleeing an abusive home, individuals often leave everything behind to enter a world of financial and emotional upheaval. NAM’s multiple social service programs meet their basic needs while they work through the physical and emotional trauma they have experienced. Caring volunteer Peer Advocates provide support to clients as they recover their strength and self-esteem, and begin the daunting task of moving toward self-reliance.

The FVC continues to offer innovative programming to meet the needs of our clients. Play Therapy and Art Therapy services are a part of our support services directed toward children and adolescents. As the needs of our clients continue to grow, support from our community allows the FVC to grow and meet those needs.

In partnership with the Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), the FVC helps assure the safety of all household pets through the PetSafe Project. With a referral from a family violence shelter or program, the SPCA will keep families’ pets, free of charge, while family members at risk seek safe refuge.

Domestic violence cuts across all social, economic and educational lines. It affects all ages, ethnic groups and genders. Domestic violence has been identified as the number one reason for homelessness among women. Community education is an important tool in making our homes safer for all. NAM’s FVC provides a Speakers’ Bureau, teen dating seminars and evening domestic violence education meetings for English- and Spanish-speaking groups. In the 2012-2013 fiscal year the FVC:

The Family Violence Center provided crisis intervention, safety planning, adult and children’s counseling, emergency shelter, legal advocacy and education to 5,490 people. 24,769 services were also provided to callers on the FVC hotline. The Youth Education Program presented anti-violence programs to 24,411 area teens.

Español

La esperanza de una vida mejor y el valor de dar el primer paso debe venir de sí mismo, pero el Centro de Violencia Familiar (FVC) de NAM proporciona los recursos para ayudar a los clientes encontrar lugares seguros y ofrece apoyo y los servicios para comenzar de nuevo. El Centro de Violencia Familiar (FVC) ofrece una línea telefónica las 24 horas, asesoramiento de crisis telefónica, refugio de emergencia, alimentos de emergencia, ropa, transporte, asistencia médica, servicios para adultos y sus hijos, alcance comunitario, información y referencias para programas de intervención de maltrato, policiales en la oficina, referencias legales y asesoramiento profesional de acompañamiento de corte. Para utilizar a estos servicios simplemente llame a la línea de la FVC al 281-885-4673.

Helpful Resources:

Safety Plan – English

Plan de Seguridad – Español

Power & Control Wheel – English

Círculo del Poder & Control – Español

Children Coping with Violence in the Home

More information regarding domestic violence can be found on the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council website.