Thank You

Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in any of the Domestic Violence Awareness Month events and our It’s Ok To Campaign. We are so proud to have such amazing community supporters at our side during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

110 Tower Lighting in Honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month – October 25^th – 30^th : Located in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale, 110 Tower is the location of choice for the Broward County legal industry and other professional firms who want the most out of their office space. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month 110 Tower graciously agreed to light the tower purple – the signature color of Domestic Violence Awareness – for the week of October 25th. Thank you 110 Tower for wrapping this downtown landmark in support for those affected by domestic violence.

Our “It’s Ok To” Campaign

Starting October 1st Women In Distress will be reaching out to the community to spread awareness about domestic violence, and to let everyone know that it’s ok to ask for help, it’s ok to speak up and it’s ok to talk about domestic violence in our community. To do this we will not only be holding events and trainings throughout the community, but also engaging our online supporters through our social media platforms.

Want to help us spread the message? It’s easy to make a difference and let families affected by domestic violence know that our community supports them:

• On a poster board or large sheet of paper, write an “It’s Ok To” phrase. (Ex: It’s ok to talk about it, It’s ok to ask for help, etc.)
• Take a photo of yourself, either alone or invite your family and friends to take it with you.
• Send your photos to Rachel Carneglia, or tag us on facebook, twitter and pinterest and we’ll post them to our social media sites to show the community that you stand with us in our mission to end domestic violence.

Visit our facebook page for a gallery of “It’s ok to” photos!

History of Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October, 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect battered women’s advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became a special week when a range of activities were conducted at the local, state, and national levels.

These activities 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.

In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year, the first national toll-free hotline was begun. In 1989 the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month Commemorative Legislation was passed by the U.S. Congress. Such legislation has passed every year since.

The Day of Unity is now celebrated the first Monday in October with hopes that events in communities and regions across the fifty states will culminate in a powerful statement celebrating the strength of battered women and their children.

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