October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a crucial time to bring attention to an issue that affects millions of people regardless of gender. Domestic violence often happens behind closed doors, leaving victims isolated, afraid, and in need of support. This month serves as a reminder to raise our voices against domestic violence, educate ourselves and others, and support those affected by it.
Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence (IPV), isn’t limited to physical harm. It includes emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse. Victims are often manipulated and controlled in ways that leave lasting trauma. The goal of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is to bring awareness to the forms of abuse, promote prevention, and encourage both survivors and allies to speak out.
Domestic violence remains a widespread issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 1 in 3 women worldwide experience physical or sexual violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. This statistic only scratches the surface, as countless men, nonbinary individuals, and children also suffer from domestic abuse. However, the stigma surrounding domestic violence often prevents people from speaking up or seeking help. By raising awareness, we can:
Abuse is not always obvious, and victims can often downplay or deny what they are experiencing due to fear, shame, or manipulation. Recognizing the signs of domestic violence is important to providing help to those affected. Here are some indicators that someone may be experiencing abuse:
An average of 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 single year. LGBTQ+ women, trans people and non-binary people are equally as likely, if not more so, than their cisgender and heterosexual peers to have experienced IPV at some point in their lifetimes. Nearly 3 in 10 women (29%) and 1 in 10 men (10%) in the US have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner and reported it having a related impact on their functioning. Almost half of all women and men in the US have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetime (48.4% and 48.8%, respectively). If you’re ready to explore further, individual therapy can be an effective way to process and understand your thoughts and emotions. At Restoring Wellness Clinical Services, our experienced providers are here to support you during these times.
Still contemplating your options? Feel free to review the resources below for additional information:
Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline:
Phone: 1-877-863-6338/TTY: 1-877-863-6339.
Available assistance: information, options, counseling, legal, and shelter services.
Toll-Free, available 24 hours a day/7s day a week, confidential, and multilingual.
Metropolitan Family Services:
Available 24 hours a day/7 days a week, confidential.
Phone: 630-469-5650 All domestic abuse services – including assistance with orders of protection.
Pillars Community Health:
Available 24 hours a day/7 days a week, confidential.
Domestic Violence Phone: 708-485-5254. Sexual Assault Phone: 708-482-9600.
If you have a general inquiry, would like to request an appointment, or have a specific question, please use the form below. We will attempt to return your message within 48 hours.
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