Awareness Blog

We are pleased to introduce the Heal, Hold & Center Guest Blog Series for Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2024. This post, written by Torrie Bethany from the National Domestic Violence Hotline, is the first of four weekly posts featuring guest authors from the Domestic Violence Awareness Project Advisory Group. In it, Torrie explores each of the core concepts from this year’s theme – Heal, Hold & Center – and offers guidance for operationalizing them in our collective work to end and prevent gender-based violence.

In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month this April, we’re excited to uplift the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s theme for SAAM 2024, Building Connected Communities. This blog post highlights new resources and activities for SAAM 2024.

February is both Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM) and Black History Month (BHM). This month and always, we’re uplifting the connections between preventing relationship violence and honoring Black history, as we center the wisdom, vision, and leadership of Black youth in our work today.

As we enter into Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), the Domestic Violence Awareness Project calls on us to Heal, Hold & Center survivors, especially those navigating anti-Blackness and other systems of oppression, throughout DVAM and beyond.

“We dream of a world where health equity is a reality for Black women and girls. And we can create that world when we center those most impacted in our violence prevention work.” – Patty Branco

In recognition of both Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) from April 11-17 and Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) throughout the month of April, NRCDV is centering the connections between maternal health, sexual violence, and health equity.

February is both Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month (TDVAM) and Black History Month. This year, the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) is honored to partner with and amplify the voices of Black youth leaders throughout the month of February and beyond. 

​​​​

“Cultivating joy, always a clear path towards liberation.” – Patty Branco, NRCDV

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and beyond, we are committed to promoting the alignment of our values with our actions as we navigate intersecting realities, grounded in our shared commitment to no survivor justice without racial justice. In order to end domestic violence and create safe and thriving communities for all, we must dismantle anti-Blackness and center humanity, wellness, joy, and connectedness for advocates, survivors, and all who work alongside us towards collective liberation.

Even before its official declaration, Sexual Assault Awareness Month was about both awareness and prevention of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. From the civil rights movement to the founding of the first rape crisis centers to national legislation and beyond, the roots of SAAM run deep. From then until now, Black women have been and remain the leaders of the movement to end gender-based violence. Without Black women there is no movement.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month! The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) supports NSVRC’s #SAAM2022 theme of building safe online spaces together. We call upon the movement to explore ways the field can create supportive online spaces that prioritize Black health, healing, and wellness.

This February, the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) is lifting up key resources that “Center Connection” by building meaningful relationships with youth across multiple identities and lived experiences. We are highlighting advocates, programs, initiatives, and campaigns that center Black youth and honor their wisdom and leadership.