Earlier this month, members of the Nebraska Coalition’s Prevention Collective met to plan for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is coming up in October.
Each October, organizations nationwide raise awareness about domestic violence. The month is full of flyers, fundraisers, and community events featuring a lot of purple. But the work doesn’t stop at the end of the month. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is really a launchpad: a chance to engage communities in prevention with the goal of continuing that engagement throughout the year.
Meeting Communities Where They Are
Violence prevention is all about meeting communities where they are. This means assessing each community’s readiness for change, or how prepared and willing community members are to take action. Communities may fall anywhere along a spectrum:
- Some don’t yet recognize domestic violence as an issue.
- Others know it’s a problem but aren’t sure what to do about it.
- Some are already taking action to prevent it.
The first step is always raising awareness, but awareness in itself isn’t the goal. The goal is to move communities closer to meaningful action.
Turning Awareness into Action
That’s the question Prevention Collective members sat with during their recent meeting: how to expand efforts during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and build in meaningful action.
- Lead interactive workshops. Skip the statistics-heavy presentation. Try a bystander intervention training where people practice real skills.
- Offer clear action steps. Many people want to help but don’t know how. Give them specific, doable actions. Check out these example actions.
- Support policy advocacy. Provide template letters and representative contact info so people can weigh in on local, state, or federal policy that supports safe communities for all.
- Involve local institutions. Invite businesses, schools, and sports teams to adopt anti-violence codes of conduct or offer staff volunteer hours.
- Ask for a commitment. Use Domestic Violence Awareness Month as an opening, and then invite partners to stay involved in prevention work over the long term.
Get Involved
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a starting point in moving communities closer to meaningful action. Everyone has a role to play, whether you’re a survivor, an advocate, an educator, or a concerned neighbor, and that role doesn’t have to end when October does.
The Nebraska Coalition coordinates the Prevention Collective, connecting individuals and organizations across the state who are dedicated to working toward a Nebraska that is safe, fair, equal, and free from power-based violence. Whether you are a survivor, advocate, educator, or concerned community member, there’s a place for you in the Prevention Collective.
Donate Today 
