September is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month was first recognized in 1981 to connect battered women advocates across the country. The 1994 Violence Against Women Act, combined new provisions that hold offenders accountable and provide programs and services for victims. Domestic violence affects millions of people, of every race, religion, culture, and status. Domestic violence is not only physical abuse, it is also yelling, humiliation, stalking, manipulation, coercion, threats and isolation.

Over 1 in 3 women, 1 in 4 men, and over 1 in 2 transgender and nonbinary people will experience some form of domestic violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime. Safe+Sound Somerset, is a resource that provides compassionate, evidence-based, and informed practices to support healing the trauma caused by domestic and sexual violence through services that include a 24-hour call and text crisis helpline, emergency safe house, legal advocacy, individual and group counseling for adults and children, the Financial Empowerment Center and the Domestic Violence Housing First Initiative, crisis response advocates including the Domestic Violence Response Teams, Sexual Assault Response Teams, and the Non-Fatal Strangulation and Smothering Response Team, Domestic Violence Liaison with DCPP, Family Advocacy, and SPEAK Outreach and Prevention.