October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
From “Domestic Violence Awareness Month History” by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, who adapted it from NCADV’s 1996 Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resource Manual:
“Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the 'Day of Unity' in October 1981 observed by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national levels. The activities conducted were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes: mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, and connecting those who work to end violence.”
To support awareness of Dating & Domestic Violence, MGA's Office of Title IX is collaborating with Elaina Behounek, Ph.D., associate professor of sociology and criminal justice, and the Office of Counseling and Accessibility Services to host the Postcard Project on Thursday, October 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Macon Campus in the Student Life Center.
Local Support and Resources
Crisis Line & Safe House of Central Georgia is a nonprofit agency serving family violence, sexual assault, and stalking victims and their children in a seven-county area in Central Georgia, including Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, and Twiggs counties.
WINGS is a state-certified family violence program that provides a range of services, including a twenty-four hour crisis line, emergency shelter, legal advocacy, weekly support groups, and monthly family activities for our primarily rural seven-county service area (Laurens, Bleckley, Dodge, Johnson, Telfair, Wilcox, Wilkinson).
Stepping Stone serves both adults and children in the Dublin and Oconee Judicial Circuit. Their mission is to lessen the trauma suffered by individuals who have been abused or assaulted by providing evaluation in a safe, caring environment and to encourage collaboration of services for the benefit of the victims and their non-offending family members. We strive to increase the protection of victims and hold the offenders accountable.