Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Nearly three out of four Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. Now is the time to take a stand. Support survivors and speak out against domestic violence all month long.

Your participation helps bring the cause of domestic violence awareness to the light, whether it’s through attendance at events, donations to our programs, or by sharing our status updates, everything you do helps amplify the voices of survivors and continue the dialogue of violence prevention and Domestic Violence services.

EVENTS OVERVIEW:

October 2- October 6, Empty Place at the Table, Worcester State University
October 2, 6:30 PM – Gardner Vigil (with the Gardner Task Force)
October 4, 6:00 PM-8:00 PM – Worcester Vigil at University Park
October 9- October 13, Empty Place at the Table, Quinsigamond Community College
October 16, 8:00 AM Daybreak Breakfast
October 19, 1:00 PM-2:00 PM – Leominster Silent Walk (with Leominster PD)
October 20, Wear Purple day (take/post selfies and tag YWCA CM)
October 23- October 28, Empty Place at the Table, Worcester Public Library- 3 Salem St, Worcester, MA 01608

Gardner Candlelight Vigil | October 2 at 6:30 PM | Gardner City Hall

Join YWCA Central Massachusetts and the City of Gardner on Monday, October 2, 2023 at 6:30 p.m outside City Hall as we honor those who’ve lost their lives to domestic violence in our community during a special candlelight vigil and Proclamation reading.

Worcester Domestic Violence Vigil | October 4 at 6 PM | University Park

Join YWCA Central Massachusetts and the City of Worcester on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 6:00 p.m at University Park as we honor those who’ve lost their lives to domestic violence in our community during a special vigil and Proclamation reading.

Daybreak Breakfast | October 16 at 8:00 AM | College of Holy Cross

The Daybreak Breakfast is designed to educate, motivate and inspire people to build safe communities by raising awareness of domestic violence, supporting survivors and promoting healthy relationships. To learn more and register, CLICK HERE.

A Week Without Violence | October 16-21

Week Without Violence is part of a global movement with YWCAs across the country and around the world to end violence against women and girls. At YWCA, we know that not all violence is acknowledged or responded to equally and that some victims go unrecognized altogether. That’s why, for more than 20 years, YWCA has set aside one week in October as a Week Without Violence. Join us from October 16 – 21, as we raise awareness, elevate survivor voices, talk with policymakers, and more with a common goal: centering survivors so that together, we can end gender-based violence. Click HERE to learn more.

Leominster Silent Walk | October 19 at 1:00 PM | Leominster Police Department

Join YWCA and the Leominster Police Department to honor the victims and survivors of domestic violence in the North Central community. We will meet outside the Leominster Police Department and then march to Leominster City Hall where the Leominster proclamation against domestic violence will be read.

Start A Fundraiser

We need your help to continue to grow the impact of our work. Support us by starting a Facebook fundraiser during the month of October.

Here’s how you can start your own Domestic Violence Awareness Month fundraiser:
1. Click here to start a fundraiser on Facebook
2. Set a goal – any goal. Every dollar makes a difference!
3. Pick a start and end date. We suggest running it throughout the month of October.
4. Name the fundraiser. Here’s some suggestions:

Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Break the Cycle: DVAM
Ending Domestic Violence

5. Write a description to let people know why this fundraiser is important or use ours:

I’m joining YWCA Central Massachusetts to help break the cycle of domestic violence. Throughout the month of October, I’m raising funds to support the YW’s mission to raise awareness of domestic violence, support survivors, and promote healthy relationships.

Through their programs and campaigns, such as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, they seek to raise awareness of intimate partner violence and work to provide direct and comprehensive support to survivors, and create community solutions that prevent domestic violence and promote healthy relationships.

Learn more about their Domestic Violence Services: https://ywcacm.org/domestic-violence-awareness-month/

7. Publish & Share!

Domestic Violence Resources

Domestic violence services are designed to meet the needs of survivors and their children whose lives are affected by interpersonal violence. All services are confidential, free of charge, and can be accessed by calling the 24-hour helpline at 508-755-9030, or by using our chat line: www.ywcahelp.com.

YWCA Central Massachusetts has developed a comprehensive domestic violence program that encompasses a social justice service delivery system that can respond to survivors of domestic violence effectively and efficiently. The design of each component is intended to address specific areas in the continuum of domestic violence services – ranging from confidential emergency shelter for survivors and children fleeing from imminent danger to non-residential community based services, advocacy and support. It strives to address all forms of intimate partner violence simultaneously. Battered Women’s Resources (BWR) and Daybreak are programs of the YWCA Central Massachusetts.

24-Hour Helpline: 508-755-9030
Our 24-hour helpline service provides emotional support, domestic violence advocacy, referrals to community resources, safety planning and crisis intervention. The helpline is answered by trained advocates who offer thoughtful attention. The helpline accepts collect calls.

Online Help/Chat Line: ywcahelp.com
The daily chatline service provides emotional support, domestic violence advocacy, referrals to community resources, safety planning and crisis intervention. The chatline is answered by trained advocates who offer thoughtful attention. The chat line address is www.ywcahelp.com