Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault - National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sep 29, 2021
Adrielle Cooper
Communication Assistant
843-372-4579
acooper@peedeecoalition.org
 
During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, #1Thing Can Make All the Difference
 
Florence, SC – October is recognized as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an observance that evolved from a single “Day of Unity” in 1991, organized by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, into a month-long series of activities by advocates working across the nation to end violence against women and their children. 
 
That is why this October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault is asking “What is the #1Thing you can do to end domestic violence?” 
 
Domestic violence impacts millions of people each year, but it can be prevented. It requires the collective voice and power of individuals, families, institutions, and systems – each whose “one thing” adds a valuable and powerful component to transforming our communities. 
 
According to the Violence Policy Center, South Carolina ranked sixth in the nation in the rate of women murdered by men in 2019.  
 
“Many people care and understand that domestic violence is a serious public health problem. They want to do something but believe their actions can’t make a difference,” said Shana Sullivan, Community Victim Services Volunteer Program Manager/Victim Advocate. “It feels overwhelming. But change can start with only #1Thing. The Pee Dee region is home to approximately 300,000 people. Imagine if all individuals in the Pee Dee area each commit to doing just #1Thing to stop domestic violence. Well, we could really see some serious social transformation.” 
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. 
 
That is why we need everyone - advocates, medical professionals, educators, survivors, researchers, policy makers, law enforcement officers, business owners, students, and more, to do #1Thing to stop domestic violence here in the Pee Dee Region. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
#1Thing you could do to address domestic violence: 
• Be a caring and consistent adult in the life of a child 
• Talk to loved ones about violence and oppression 
• Create a culture of consent in your home 
• Use social media to raise awareness among your peers 
• organizations to establish 
• Reach out to one of our local satellite centers to learn how you can help 
• Listen to and validate a survivor of trauma 
 
This October join Pee Dee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Assault as we mourn for those whose lives were taken by domestic violence, celebrate survivors and the tremendous progress victim advocates have made over the years, and connect with a true sense of unity to end domestic violence. 
 
You can make your #1Thing attending or participating in one of our local events across the Pee Dee Region. To learn more about our events you can visit our website, www.peedeecoalition.org. Supporters can also follow us at Facebook.com/PeeDeeCoalition.  
 
Pee Dee Coalition is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to the reduction of sexual assault, family violence, and child abuse and to the needs of its victims. For more information, please contact Adrielle Cooper, acooper@peedeecoalition.org. 
 
 
 

Pee Dee Coalition is a member of the United Way.