The IPV/A Chronicles, Part Six: October is DVAM!

I’ve made it my ongoing–and fervent–mission to continue to shine a bright light on a certain demoralizing, insidious and horrific cycle of behavior that continues to be a growing concern within the LGBTQ Community. This is Part Six of the ongoing series that will address this potentially life-threatening cycle of abuse.

It’s purple month!

Now, you may ask: “What’s that?”

Allow me to explain. You see, we wear purple—actually, a purple ribbon—as a symbol used to honor victims and survivors of domestic violence/abuse (DVA), which can include sexual violence. In the LGBTQ community, DVA is referred to as Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPV/A). October has been designated as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Statistics show that IPV/A occurs with similar frequency as in heterosexual relationships. Additionally, new research suggests that a greater percentage of LGBTQ individuals are living in fear of an abusive partner than previously thought. And each year, between 50,000-100,000 lesbians (or more) and as many as 500,000 (or more) gay men are battered, and about one in four LGBTQ relationships/partnerships are abusive in some way.

Sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence and abuse are growing problems. What makes matters worse: incidences of IPV/A often are underreported–particularly amongst same-sex couples.

Let’s drill down even further. In the U.S., about 1 in 3 women and nearly 1 in 4 men experience some form of intimate partner sexual violence, intimate partner physical violence, and/or intimate partner stalking during their lifetime. According to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. For one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men experience severe physical intimate partner violence in their lifetime.

For more data and statistics that illustrate the full picture of Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse, visit: https://wyattevans.com/the-ipva-chronicles-part-three/

In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I want to share with you how this observance came to be–and how it has grown.

National Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity, which was established by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence in October 1981. The intent was to connect battered women advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children.

Soon, when a range of activities was conducted at the local, state and national levels, the Day of Unity became a special week. These activities were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors–but had common themes: mourning those who had died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who had survived, and connecting those who worked to end violence and abuse.

Then in October 1987, the inaugural Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. In that same year, the first national toll-free hotline was initiated. And in 1989, the U. S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112, designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

In October 1994, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in conjunction with Ms. Magazine, created the “Remember My Name” project, a national registry to increase public awareness of deaths due to domestic violence and abuse. And on October 11, 2003, the U.S. Postal Service issued their “Stop Family Violence” stamp. A young girl, who expressed her sadness about domestic violence, created the design of this first-class stamp. Profits from the sale of the stamp were transferred to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to assist domestic violence programs.

Until We Return…

As stated earlier, I’ve made it my ongoing–and fervent–mission to continue to shine a bright light on IPV/A, a demoralizing, horrific–and potentially life-threatening cycle of behavior.

We Must RISE UP…And Tell! Someone. Anyone Who Will Listen. We must make our “Great Escape.”

And, always remember: the most powerful weapon the abuser has in his/her arsenal is…SILENCE.

If you or someone you know is experiencing IPV/A, call The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) or the Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project Hotline (1-800-832-1901).

I have a special IPV/A section right here at Wyattevans.com that includes resources to assist victims. Visit: https://wyattevans.com/lgbtq-domestic-violenceabuse-making-your-great-escape/