October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and we’re here to shed light on an issue not only prevalent in our country but unfortunately, in our own Manatee-Sarasota community.

 

Did you know?*

•  1 in 4 women have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner 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 — more than 12 million women and men over the course of a year.

Evaluating Unhealthy Relationships

It’s important to understand the signs of domestic abuse, in your relationship and in others, whether it’s a loved one, coworker, or neighbor. Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate, being aware of the red flags can be life-saving. We host an ongoing educational support group, Evaluating Unhealthy Relationships at our Sarasota and Manatee centers, to provide insight on key behaviors and actions to keep an eye out for. For more information, please call 941-256-9721.

Supporting the survivors

As you may have heard, we collaborate with two other amazing organizations in our community for sharing resources, and offering programs and services to participants in both HOPE Family Services, Inc. (HOPE) and Safe Place And Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC).

Together we also join forces with these two partner agencies in co-hosting an event called Handbags and Happy Hour every year (previously the Empower Your Purse luncheon), which raises funds to empower domestic violence survivors in our area. It’s a fabulous opportunity to bring people together for an exciting evening while raising much-needed funds for domestic violence prevention and protection.

These two agencies serve Manatee and Sarasota Counties to provide shelter and services for domestic violence survivors. To learn more about these agencies, click here.

If you’re trying to overcome domestic violence in your own life, please reach out to us or your nearest agency, HOPE or SPARCC for life-saving resources available just for you.

 

*statistics courtesy of National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV)