DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION & AWARENESS MONTH
October is observed as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This initiative was started in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a Day of Unity to connect battered women’s advocates across the United States. Now in its 42nd year, individuals and communities across our nation join together during this month in a strategic effort to raise awareness of domestic violence as a public health issue that impacts individuals of all identities, and educate others on how they can take action to advocate for change, intervene to stop acts of domestic violence from occurring, and support those who are impacted.
Domestic violence is a type of interpersonal violence that someone can experience at any point in the life course – as a child, adolescent, young adult, adult, or as an elder. It includes any act of threatened, attempted, or completed violence that occurs:
- Between current or former spouses or intimate partners
- Between individuals who share a child in common
- Between individuals who are living with, or had lived with, each other as spouses or intimate partners
- By a person who is similarly situated to a spouse under the domestic or family violence laws that govern the jurisdiction where the violence & abuse occurred
- Any person, such as a parent, guardian, cohabitant, or spouse, who harms an adult or child, where the adult or child is protected from violence & abuse under domestic violence or family laws (e.g. child abuse, sibling abuse, incest, etc.).
Domestic violence may include instances of sexual assault, stalking, physical abuse, economic or emotional abuse, including behaviors that are intended to intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, or isolate someone. It may also include acts or threats against family members, friends, pets, or property.
The term domestic violence may spark images of something that happens later in life, such as when people are married or living together. However, it is important to understand that this issue affects undergraduate and graduate/professional students. While our Texas A&M University campus and surrounding community are safe places to learn, work, and live, Aggies are still impacted by power-based personal violence. In the most recent Association of American Universities Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct (2019), we know the following from students at Texas A&M who participated:
12.9%
experienced intimate partner violence
42.7%
experienced sexual harassment from another student, faculty or staff member
19.4%
experienced stalking
30%
of female students were sexually assaulted
8%
of male students were sexually assaulted
32%
of TGQN (Transgender, Genderqueer, and Nonbinary) students were sexually assaulted
Domestic violence may still occur between college students who are sharing a residence with an abusive parent, guardian, family member, or sibling. It may also impact students who live with an intimate partner, regardless of whether they are married or have a child together. Within Federal Title IX regulations, it may also include any type of violence between roommates on campus property.
We invite our Texas A&M and surrounding communities to engage in open discussion and learning opportunities this October to better support themselves and others, critically evaluate some of the messages that we receive about healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, and understand how experiencing violence & abuse intersects with other public health issues. If you or someone you know is being impacted by domestic violence & abuse, we encourage you to contact Twin City Mission, Domestic Violence Services at 979-775-5355 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233. These lines are confidential and available 24/7.
These agencies work together with Twin City Mission, Domestic Violence Services, and other state & national organizations, to provide protections to anyone who has experienced or witnessed violence & abuse.
Additional Resources
- Baylor Scott & White Medical Center. This is the only medical center in Brazos Valley that currently has 24/7 on call forensic nurses. Survivors who are seeking medical care and may want to pursue a forensic exam are encouraged to go here, to minimize re-traumatization. The Sexual Assault Resource Center dispatches a state-certified advocate to provide trauma-informed support during the hospital intake and medical processes.
- Scotty's House. Contact for support with any suspected or known instance of child abuse & neglect.
- Sexual Assault Resource Center of Brazos Valley. Contact for support with any instance of sexual violence.
- Unbound Bryan College-Station. Contact for support with any suspected or known human trafficking in Brazos Valley.
- University Health Services. Texas A&M students: contact for more information on individualized counseling, support groups for survivors, and follow-up treatment or post-care to a forensic exam related to physical and/or sexual violence.
Sources:
Association of American Universities, Survey on Sexual Assault and Misconduct (2019). Texas A&M University Report.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020). Violence Prevention.
Texas A&M University, Department of Civil Rights and Equity Investigations (2023). Glossary of Terms.
US Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (2020). Domestic Violence.
2023 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION & AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS
Books That Speak Out
Health Promotion has partnered with Texas A&M Libraries to host Books That Speak Out: Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Month physical and virtual resource displays. These displays direct you to books, journals, documentaries, podcasts, national organizations and movements, and resources related to experiencing & surviving domestic abuse, dating abuse, and intimate partner violence & abuse. You will find everything from policy to self-care, and personal narratives to poetry, that is applicable to survivors and allies of all identities.
Date/Time: October 1-31
Books That Speak Out LibGuide: tx.ag/BooksThatSpeakOut
Physical Displays: Evans Library and Business Library & Collaboration Commons (BLCC), October 1-31
Audience: Everyone
Sponsored By: Texas A&M University Libraries and Texas A&M Health Promotion
National Day of Unity
The first Monday of October is recognized as the National Day of Unity, which honors the origin of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Join Health Promotion and other offices & organizations, as we help our community understand the history and ongoing significance of domestic violence prevention, response, and advocacy. We empower our Aggie community to share their reasons for supporting prevention & awareness using #DVPAMTAMU and tagging @TAMUHealthPromotion on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. We also encourage our campus and community to share Health Promotion’s post which will go live on our accounts at 9am on October 2.
Date: Monday, October 2, all day social media observance
Audience: Everyone
Step In Stand Up Mini Session
Aligned with the Texas A&M Step In Stand Up Campaign to end sexual violence, the Mini Session provides basic knowledge and skill on how to step in to stop acts of power-based personal violence with a Green Dot Bystander Intervention virtual overview, and how to stand up to support survivors through a STAND Up Trauma-Informed Care virtual overview. Participants can choose to attend Green Dot only, STAND Up only, or both sessions.
Date and Time: Tuesday, October 10, 9:00-10:30am (Green Dot Virtual Overview) and 11:00am-12:00pm (STAND Up Virtual Overview)
Location: Zoom (Virtual Instruction)
Audience: Texas A&M Faculty & Staff
Sponsored by: Texas A&M Health Promotion
Registration Required: tx.ag/SISUWorkshops
Green Dot Virtual Overview
The Green Dot Overview, which is administered as a part of our larger Green Dot Bystander Intervention program on campus, is intended to provide basic knowledge and strategies for how to safely & effectively intervene when witnessing an act of power-based personal violence. Participants will identify warning signs of sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking; become more self-aware of barriers that prevent them from taking action; explore intervention strategies that are realistic for them in different contexts; identify pro-social behaviors to use in every day practice that establish norms that are intolerant of violence.
Date and Time: Thursday, October 12, 7:00-8:30pm
Location: Zoom (Virtual Instruction)
Audience: Texas A&M Students
Sponsored By: Texas A&M Health Promotion
Registration Required: tx.ag/GreenDotWorkshop
Silent! at The Disco
Reward your body and mind with Silent! at the Disco cardio dance class, sponsored by Rec Sports to enhance confidence and support physical, mental, and social well-being in honor of Domestic Violence Prevention & Awareness Month.
Date and Time: Wednesday, October 18, 6:00-7:00pm
Location: Student Rec Center, 2229
Address: 187 Corrington Dr, College Station, TX 77843
Parking: Visitor parking or any valid A&M parking permit after 5pm (West Campus Garage, Lots 100A-J)
Audience: Everyone
Sponsored By: Texas A&M Rec Sports
Registration Required (Opens October 9): tx.ag/SilentDisco23
Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training
Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training equips participants with advanced knowledge and tools to be responsibly reactive and proactive in sustaining norms on our campus that are intolerant of violence. Participants will connect more consciously to their opinions regarding the role and responsibility of the bystander; recognize behaviors associated with sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking; recognize barriers that may prevent them from intervening; develop realistic intervention strategies given their unique set of barriers; understand the basic elements of culture change and engage others in this change through their social networks/spheres of influence.
Date and Time: Sunday, October 15, 1:00-4:30pm
Location: Student Services Building (SSB) 308
Audience: Texas A&M Students
Sponsored By: Texas A&M Health Promotion
Registration Required: tx.ag/GreenDotWorkshop
Purple Thursday
Nationally recognized in the United States as a part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Purple Thursday aims to stop all forms of relationship violence and abuse through education, awareness, and systemic change. It also promotes resources and shows support for those impacted by this public health issue.
Wear purple, the designated awareness color, on October 19 to show your support for Domestic Violence Prevention. Share a photo on social media and tell us why and how you care about this initiative. Use the hashtags #DVPAMTAMU and #TAMUPurpleThursday, and tag Texas A&M Health Promotion in your posts.
Date: Thursday, October 19, All Day Social Media Campaign
Location: Instagram: @tamuhealthpromotion
Resource Table: Rudder Plaza, 10:00am-4:00pm
Audience: Everyone
Sponsored By: Texas A&M Health Promotion and Sophomores Leading, Impacting, Developing and Educating (SLIDE)
Healing With Friends: Trauma-Informed Yoga
Health Promotion and Rec Sports have partnered on this event since 2019, to recognize the importance of physical wellness, emotional wellness, and resilience as a part of violence prevention education. This event features a one-hour trauma-informed yoga class, self-care strategies, and information about campus & community resources. Participants may choose to attend in person at the Rec Center or through Zoom, and privacy will be protected in both formats. It is a space that welcomes survivors of abuse, their friends, allies, and anyone who wants to simply learn more, connect, and be involved. This event is free and open to anyone (A&M and the community), regardless of yoga skill level.
Date and Time: Wednesday, October 25, 6:00-7:00pm
Location: Rec Sports 2221 and Zoom
Address: 187 Corrington Dr, College Station, TX 77843
Parking: Visitor parking or any valid A&M parking permit after 5pm (West Campus Garage, Lots 100A-J)
Audience: Everyone
Sponsored by: Texas A&M Rec Sports and Texas A&M Health Promotion
Registration Required: tx.ag/HealingWithFriends
STAND Up Virtual Overview
The STAND Up Virtual Overview, which is administered as a part of our larger STAND Up Trauma-Informed Care initiative on campus, is intended to provide general information about the impacts of trauma related to experiencing power-based personal violence, and basic knowledge of trauma-informed response & relevant resources.
Date and Time: Monday, October 30, 7:00-8:00pm
Location: Zoom (Virtual Instruction)
Audience: Texas A&M Students
Sponsored By: Texas A&M Health Promotion
Registration Required: tx.ag/StandUpWorkshop
STAND Up Trauma-Informed Care Training
The STAND Up Training is designed to assist individuals in learning positive and helpful ways to have conversations with those who have been involved in a traumatic event related to power-based personal violence. The workshop provides information about sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking; social perspectives; the impacts of trauma on the brain; listening techniques; tools for mandated reporters; and campus and community resources.
Date and Time: Sunday, November 5, 1:00-4:30pm
Location: Student Services Building (SSB) 308
Audience: Texas A&M Students
Sponsored By: Texas A&M Health Promotion
Registration Required: tx.ag/StandUpWorkshop
SLIDE Presents: True Life
Hear the true, unabridged stories from the brave survivors who have persevered through the atrocities of sexual assault. SLIDE Sexual Assault Awareness (SAAM) subcommittee takes the lead in coordinating one of their most impactful events of the year, which brings together survivors, a diverse panel of experts who support prevention, response, and advocacy, and local resource providers.
Date and Time: Tuesday, November 28, 7:00-9:00pm
Location: Rudder Auditorium
Audience: Everyone
Sponsored By: Sophomore Leaders Impacting, Developing, and Educating (SLIDE)