October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a critical time when communities across the nation join forces to combat domestic violence. It’s a month dedicated to honoring survivors and standing united as their advocates.
Originating in October 1989, this month serves as a rallying point for advocates nationwide. Its mission: to eradicate domestic violence and shed light on this pervasive issue in our communities. It’s essential to note that the reported cases of domestic violence in Florida alone reached a staggering 106,515 in 2020, leading to 63,217 arrests. But these numbers don’t capture the full extent of this problem; many cases go unreported, and not all abusers face consequences.
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a call for unity. It’s an opportunity for all of us to lend our ears to survivors, amplify their voices, and provide unwavering support. Together, we can encourage survivors to seek the help and resources they deserve. We must create safe environments where survivors feel empowered to report abuse.
At Team Anna, we support survivors, loved ones, and more in their story to speak up against interrelationship violence and denounce any harassment, assault, or violence against all people and children.
There are a few non-profit organizations in the Orange County community that are committed to preventing domestic violence and are an advocate for those affected by interrelationship violence. See below for groups and nonprofits that leading the charge in advocacy and support for survivors:
- Harbor House of Central FL (blog): This organization aims to prevent and eliminate domestic abuse in Central FL by providing life-saving services to survivors and educating the community.
- Stand Up Survivor: This non-profit in Orlando aims to educate and empower domestic violence survivors and their communities with resources and programs.
- Shakthi US (has a branch in Orlando): This organization provides a space for survivors of domestic abuse, with a focus on the South Asian community in Central Florida.
- Narcissistic Abuse Survivors (N.A.S.): This group aims to help those in abusive situations and help them out of it through support groups, events, and programs.
- Mental Health Association of Central Florida: They offer free mental health referrals and groups to support those struggling and community resources.
Let this month be a beacon of hope, resilience, and change as we strive to break the cycle of domestic violence and build a future free from this pervasive threat.