HOUSTON, TX — October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The COVID-19 health crisis has caused a tremendous spike in incidents of abuse. Even as lockdown restrictions are lifted, we know that the abuse will not simply end, that this remains a critical time for survivors, and that education, awareness, and bystander intervention are desperately needed. This October, the Family Violence Center (FVC) at Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) has scheduled virtual events to commemorate National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
On Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 10:00 a.m., NAM will post a virtual tour of the Family Violence Center on its website. The community will be able to learn the inner workings of the department as they visit each part of the FVC.
Beginning Thursday, October 15, 2020 everyone is encouraged to wear purple and take part in “Silence for 7”. The seven signifies the average number of times a survivor flees before successfully leaving. A Zoom link is posted on www.namonline.org/dvam for those that would like to participate.
“Texas has seen an average of 121 women per year who have lost their life due to domestic violence,” explained Sheryl Johnson, Director of NAM’s Family Violence Center. “Those who have suffered or are suffering from domestic violence often feel alone and we want to remind them that they are not alone, and there is help and hope.” said Johnson.
In support of survivors and victims of domestic violence, the Family Violence Center is also conducting a virtual “Walk for Survivors” on October 15, 2020. Anyone wanting to participate, can do so by walking a mile, safely, in a location of their choosing. Anywhere they decide to walk – around their block or inside their house – they can post a photo on social media and tag NAM or use the hashtags: #YouAreNotAlone, #NAMHelps, #WalkForSurvivors, #PurpleEmpowerment.
“Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic the number of calls coming into our Family Violence Center Hotline have risen exponentially,” said President/CEO of NAM, Les Cave. “For anyone going through this hardship, we hope that they will reach out for help, and we want them to know that NAM is here for them.”
For more information about Domestic Violence Awareness Month about NAM’s virtual events, please visit www.namonline.org/dvam.
The Family Violence Center is dedicated to breaking the cycle of violence by assisting victims of domestic and sexual violence through crisis intervention, long-term support services, and through community violence and awareness prevention education. In the fiscal year 2018-2019, the FVC received more than 5,954 hotline calls from victims in crisis and provided ongoing services to another 422 individuals. They also offer year-round programs, workshops and different events that bring awareness to the domestic violence problem in the area. If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence please contact the FVC hotline at 281-885-4673.
Northwest Assistance Ministries is a non-profit, community-based social service agency that strives to meet basic human needs through Neighbors Helping Neighbors. NAM provides assistance in areas such as food, shelter, health, education and domestic violence awareness and intervention. During its last fiscal year, NAM touched the lives of more than 132,000 people through its many programs and services.