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October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. It is the nationally recognized month that vastly highlights domestic violence, its occurrences, and supportive resources most collectively with other domestic violence advocates. Luvernes Safe Haven, Inc. advocates for domestic violence awareness, prevention, and support every day of the year. We stand in celebration and observance of the national awareness month, as its notoriety helps to achieve our mission and save lives. 

 

 

The National Domestic Violence Hotline defines "domestic violence” as a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence is not always physical and may be experienced covertly or overtly. Domestic Violence can be emotional, digital, financial, mental, physical, or psychological, sexual, or verbal. Before it becomes physical it is often covertly emotional, mental, or psychological. Domestic in relation to domestic violence refers to someone who is known by another. Violence in relation to domestic violence can be in a physical or nonphysical behavior, with an intent to damage, hurt, or kill.

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Abuse is an action or behavior to which a use of something or someone is purposefully intended for something bad. If you are someone who know is experiencing domestic violence of any kind, please get help. You may contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline anonymously by phone or chat. 

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Sexual Abuse is an abusive sexual behavior or conduct one person makes upon another. It may be in the form of harassment, human trafficking, molestation, rape, or other forms of sexual assault. 

 

At times some domestic violence abusers don't realize they are abusive.  An abuser’s actions and conduct can be a byproduct of a cultural experience that is normalized or categorized as an acceptable behavior. Rather abusers realize their behavior is abusive or not does not minimize the damage it causes and should never be explained away as an acceptable occurrence. Abuse of any kind should never be tolerated or excused as normal behavior. Sexual abusers may not consider verbal harassment or unwelcomed sexual advances to be abusive especially if the behavior is not physical or seems appropriate. Getting help for oneself can be equally beneficial to potential or actual domestic violence abusers. In all cases, if you or someone you know is being abused its most important to first get help for yourselves. Please click the "Emergency Hotlines" tab for a list of supportive resources for domestic violence and sexual abuse. To go directly to the National Domestic Violence Hotline website, click on the square image to the right, entitled "Support Services".

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​The different types of abuse listed below are reflective of Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse occurrences. Not each type of abuse may be considered both a form of domestic violence and sexual abuse.  The illustration is intended to provide awareness of different forms of domestic violence and sexual abuse in alignment with the organization's mission of spreading awareness. These forms of abuse are specifically in explanation of domestic violence and sexual abuse occurrences. These forms of abuse can be experienced in many situations unrelated to domestic violence and sexual abuse as well. Abuse of any kind is still abuse and is always unacceptable. Please get help if you or someone you know is experiencing any form of abuse. Survivors of abuse may also need help from the after effects of abuse. Please visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline website for more information on ways to get help. You can also visit the "Emergency Links" website for a list of supportive organizations and outlets. 

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