Breaking the Silence, Building Support

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month - Breaking the Silence, Building Support.

Each October, communities across the country come together to observe Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). For us at Maison Femme, this month is about more than awareness — it's about action, resources, and honoring the resilience of survivors.

Domestic violence doesn’t discriminate: it affects people of all genders, backgrounds, and socio-economic statuses. According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, roughly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Despite these numbers, silence and stigma keep many survivors hidden.

Why DVAM Matters

DVAM began in 1987 as a way to unify advocates and shine a light on an issue that often remains in the shadows. Today, it remains a national call to action: to support survivors, educate communities, and work toward prevention.

What You Can Do This Month

• Learn the Facts

  • More than 20,000 hotline calls are made every day in the U.S.

  • Financial abuse occurs in 99% of cases.

  • Survivors often attempt to leave seven times before leaving for good.

• Wear Purple on October 16th — “Purple Thursday.”
  The purple ribbon is a national symbol of courage, honor, and survival.

• Share Resources
  Simply posting the hotline number could save a life:
  📞 National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

• Support Survivors Locally
  Donate, volunteer, or attend events such as our Vintners Dinner with Ambassador Wines.

The Crucial Role of Shelters & Databases

When someone leaves an abusive home, safe shelter is critical. Domestic violence shelters provide more than emergency housing — they offer confidential case management, counseling, childcare, and legal advocacy.

🔍 Find a Shelter Near You

• DomesticShelters.org – Database of nearly 3,000 shelters/programs across the U.S. and Canada.

• National Women’s Shelter Network – A collective resource for survivors seeking safety.

Still, the demand for shelter outpaces availability. A national 24-hour survey found 9,000+ unmet requests for services in a single day due to limited space and resources (U.S. DOJ). Domestic violence is also a leading cause of homelessness among women and children. Supporting shelters, locally and nationally, strengthens this essential safety net.

Building a Culture of Support

🕊️ “I believe you. You are not alone.”

Domestic violence thrives in silence. By raising awareness, supporting survivors, and talking openly, we chip away at that silence. You don’t need to be an expert to make a difference — often the most powerful words you can say to a survivor are: “I believe you. I’m here for you.”

At Maison Femme, we are committed to creating safe, healing spaces through shelter, counseling, advocacy, and community education.

Join Us This October

This DVAM, we encourage you to:
✔️ Share awareness posts
✔️ Wear purple on Purple Thursday
✔️ Attend events like our Vintners Dinner
✔️ Volunteer or donate to survivor programs

Together, we can break the silence, stop the violence, and build a world where survivors are never alone.