Each October brings awareness to a disturbing, but all too real, occurrence in America: domestic abuse. Families are torn apart by this vicious and heinous offense every day. It affects men, women and children. The Domestic Violence Awareness Project was to help educate the public that no one should live with domestic abuse from a loved one.
Domestic abuse can come in many forms, such as physical, emotional, sexual and economic coercion and is best understood as an attempt to gain power over a loved one. No one is immune to domestic abuse, and in one 24-hour period in 2010, over 70,000 people across the country received emergency services due to domestic abuse. Unfortunately, many people suffering from domestic abuse are too scared to call for assistance while suffering from mistreatment from a loved one. Some feel that there will be retribution for seeking help, and some fear the thought of turning in a family member to authorities. Thankfully, there are programs that will help individuals who are experiencing domestic abuse seek the help they need before serious injury, or even death, is the end result.If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, please call 9-1-1 immediately or one of the hotlines below:
• U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or TTY at 1-800-787-3224
• U.S. National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 automatically connects you to a local U.S. rape crisis program based on the area code of your phone number.
• U.S. National Teen Dating Violence Helpline at 1-866-331-9474
• The Illinois Elder Abuse Hotline 1-866-800-1409, 1-888-206-1327 (TTY)
