The purpose of Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to recognise the impact of domestic violence and raise awareness about its prevalence. It is a problem that affects every status, culture, religion, and race. There are various forms of domestic violence, which is why raising awareness is such a crucial part of the work that we do as an organisation that practically and emotionally supports women and children who have been subjected to abuse. Our work is but if you are thinking of ways to observe Domestic Abuse Awareness month this year, here are a few examples of things you can do:
- Attend one of our training sessions. Learn with us about Domestic Abuse so that you can feel confident in your ability to respond to disclosures with compassion, but also in a way that brings victims closer to safety when they find the courage to speak to you. There’s a FREE webinar on Monday about Mental Health and Domestic Abuse in the workplace. Find out more here.
- Learn more about domestic abuse to increase your awareness. You can do so by checking our Domestic Abuse Guide here or clicking on the hashtag #havenatoz on instagram.
- Support our work by attending one of our events. We are happy to be able to host in-person events again and can’t wait to see as many of you as possible. Have you heard about our upcoming Fire Walk? Find out more here.
- Support Sophie Warren who will be running the London Marathon to raise funds for The Haven. Sophie is the granddaughter of one of our co-founders Colin Brown. We had a chat with her about her fond memories of her grandad, her preparations for the marathon and her hopes for the end of violence against women and girls. Find out more here.
- Make a donation or start your own fundraising challenge. As a non-profit we rely heavily on your kind donations. There are various options available and you can find out more about how you can fundraise for us here. To make a donation, go here.
- Volunteers are the heartbeat of our work. You might have a skill or an interest that you can use to support us. Explore our volunteer opportunities here.
- You can help us raise awareness by sharing some of our social media posts throughout the month. Feel free to engage with us, ask questions e.t.c. We are on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
- You can make a personal commitment to help break the silence. We can break the wall of silence when survivors of Domestic Abuse no longer feel stigmatised, blamed and shamed. We all have a role to play.
- Speak up if you think someone is being abused. Our helpline is available 24/7 if you are confused but concerned. One of our friendly advisors will be able to help.
For the past year, we have been going through a complete overhaul of our website alongside some of the women we support as well as engaging with other stakeholders. This Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, watch this space as we re-introduce you to our services and highlight all the resources that are available to you.
If you believe that you or someone you know is at risk of domestic abuse, please call our FREE helpline on 08000 194 400.
