Domestic and Dating Violence

If you are a friend, family member, or ally of someone experiencing violence, your support can make a significant difference.

1. Listen without judgment: Allow the person to share their story at their own pace. Listen actively and without interrupting.
2. Believe them: Trust the survivor's account. It takes courage to speak out, and your belief is critical for healing.
3. Offer resources: Help connect the person with local resources, such as shelters, counselors, or hotlines. Encourage them to reach out for professional support.
4. Respect their decisions: Understand that leaving an abusive situation can be difficult and complex. Be supportive of their decisions, even if you don’t fully understand them.
5. Encourage Safety Planning: Help them think through a safety plan if they are at risk, including places to go, who to contact, and how to leave safely.

Ways to Support

Raising awareness is key to ending violence. Through action and understanding, we can reduce the frequency of abuse and violence.

• Start a Conversation: Talk about sexual assault and domestic violence openly with friends and family. Normalizing these conversations helps reduce stigma.
• Volunteer: Many organizations offer volunteer opportunities to support survivors or help with awareness campaigns. Search for local options to make a difference in your community.
• Donate and Volunteer: Consider supporting organizations that aid survivors and work to prevent violence, whether monetarily, with physical items (such as offering essentials to local shelters), or with your time and effort.
• Participate in Awareness Campaigns: Take part in campaigns like Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October) or Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April) to raise visibility and foster dialogue. MVC often hosts awareness events during these months.
• Support Legislation: Talk to your representatives to advocate for policies that protect survivors and prevent violence, including laws regarding consent, domestic violence, and sexual harassment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the experiences of those affected by sexual assault, dating violence, and domestic violence. It's more important than ever to continue to support survivors and advocate for policies that ensure safety and access to help.

• Isolation: Stay-at-home orders and social distancing trapped individuals with their abusers, limiting their opportunities to seek help or escape dangerous situations. The isolation can exacerbate the emotional and physical toll of abuse. Take the opportunity to check in with friends and family who you haven't heard from in a while.
• Increased Stress: The financial, health, and social stressors caused by the pandemic created a perfect storm for many abusive relationships, even years after. The added pressure of job loss, fear of illness, and uncertainty about the future can increase tensions within households. Stay in contact with and lend a listening ear to those who are experiencing upheavals. 
• Disrupted Services: Many support services, shelters, and resources have faced challenges during the pandemic. This includes limitations in in-person counseling, shelter availability, and community outreach, making it harder for survivors to access the help they need. Donating and volunteering can help.
• Greater Impact on Vulnerable Populations: People with limited access to resources, including individuals with disabilities, immigrants, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals, tend to face greater barriers to safety and support. With these limitations, it can be harder for them to reach out or find resources that cater to their unique needs.