NIWRC Resource Page

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

As we, the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center, honor 30 years of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) during the month of October, we are thankful for every one of our relatives and allies that make up this national movement to end violence against women and children. In October 1987, advocates recognized the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the first national toll-free hotline for domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, began taking calls. Two years later, Congress passed the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative legislation, which has recognized DVAM every year since then. As we reflect on the work taking place to increase safety and access to justice in our American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities, we also celebrate the footsteps of our relatives who came before us.

DVAM TOOLS & RESOURCES-

  • SAVE THE DATE: Review our DVAM Calendar (See attached document) and schedule into your calendar. Want help promoting your community’s activities? Send your DVAM event activities to predcorn@niwrc.org and we will post on our social media channels!
  • ORGANIZE A COMMUNITY ACTIVITY: Want to celebrate the 30th Year of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) this October? Take Action! Here are some ideas for you to consider in helping raise awareness about violence against Native women and children in your community (See attached document).
  • SHARE: Is your community hosting your own candle lit walk? Self-defense classes? Please share these photos with your views on how domestic violence impacts your community, and take a stand against domestic violence using the #ViolenceIsNotMyTradition hashtag!
  • SHARE: 31 Days of Domestic Violence digital cards on social media. In honor of 30 years of DVAM, NIWRC has updated the 31 Days of DVAM digital cards to feature background images of natural water sources. Water and women are sacred and violence against women and Mother Earth are NOT traditional. NIWRC will be posting a fact or new major milestones about ending, or addressing violence against Native women and girls, each day in October. We share these with the aim of raising awareness on this severe crisis, encouraging others to join the movement against domestic violence, and raising our voices in the name of tribal sovereignty once again to bring safety to Native nations. Join the conversation and post why you stand against violence with #ViolenceIsNotMyTradition!
  • EXPLORE: Archived NIWRC domestic violence resources. Including; multiple webinars, printed products for dv shelters and programs, and a film.
  • FACEBOOK LIVE: Saturday, October 14: Watch StrongHearts on Facebook Live at Sacred Springs Powwow in San Marcos, Texas.
  • TWITTER CHAT Tuesday, October 17: StrongHearts joins National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Twitter Chat at 12 p.m. MST/1 p.m. CST /2 p.m. EST.
  • WEAR PURPLE: Thursday, October 19th- Join StrongHearts & NIWRC for National #PurpleThursday: Wear Purple for DVAM!
  • WEAR ORANGE: Wednesday, October 25th-Support the UNite to End Violence Women’s Empowerment with their monthly run to raise awareness of domestic violence in tribal communities! Organize a morning run, wear orange, take a group photo and post to social media using #UNitetoendviolence & #NIWRCStrongHearts.
  • WATCH/SHARE: Domestic Violence Video Resources: 1. Buffalo Nickel Creative & 1491’s:  Tihirasa – Pawnee Nation Healing Center for Domestic & Sexual Violence It Ends Where it Begins – Anti-Domestic Violence PSA and To The Indigenous Woman. 2. Native Daughters video NDV OmahaSecret. 3. LISTEN: NET News “An Epidemic Of Violence: Nebraska Native Women Struggle to Break the Cycle.
  • DOWNLOAD: The October 2017 issue of Restoration Magazine: Increasing Public Awareness of Missing and Murdered Native Women
  • SUSCRIBE: Restoration Magazine is produced quarterly and includes the latest updates and news on policy to grassroots organizations on Violence Against Native Women. SUSCRIBE- and support future issues of Restoration Magazine and get your hard copies mailed directly to you- paid subscriptions for hard copies.
  • SIGN UP: To receive NWIRC’s quarterly e-Newsletter and general announcement mailing list, in your email, please sign in here.
  • EXPLORE: the Fall 2017 Edition of Advocate! Beyond the Shelter Doors here.
  • JOIN NIWRC ON SOCIAL MEDIA: NIWRC Facebook, NIWRC Twitter, NIWRC Pinterest and @niwrc on Instagram!
  • CALL: StrongHearts Native Helpline at 1 (844) 762-8483 during Monday-Friday 9am-5:30pm CST. StrongHearts Native Helpline is a culturally appropriate, confidential service for Native Americans affected by domestic violence and dating violence.
  • DOWNLOAD: StrongHearts Native Helpline poster and brochure from our website to help spread the word in your community.
  • REQUEST: StrongHearts materials be shipped to you at no cost by filling out this online form
  • SHARE: Information from the StrongHearts Blog on topics like cultural abuse, abusive red flags and what to expect when you call
  • LEARN: More about the Family Violence Prevention Services Act (FVPSA) with this FVPSA Fact Sheet. FVPSA is the primary federal funding source dedicated to supporting immediate shelter and supportive services for victims of family violence, domestic violence, or dating violence and their dependents. Administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children, Youth and Families, FVPSA supports these activities through state and tribal shelter programs, state domestic violence coalitions, training and technical assistance service providers and the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

The National Indigenous Women's Resource Center's participation in this content was supported by Grant Number 90EV0452-01-00 from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.