October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and has been since 1987. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in a familial or dating relationship in an attempt to gain or maintain control over the victim(s). Domestic violence can include intimidation, physical assault, sexual assault, mental abuse, financial abuse, and/or other abusive behavior.

In the United States, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men fall victim to domestic violence. Domestic violence accounts for almost 15 percent of all violent crimes. Every minute, approximately 20 people are physically abused by their partner. Chances are, someone you know has been a victim of domestic violence.

If someone you know or yourself needs a safe place to go, reach out to one of the many domestic violence shelters across the United States. One day alone, approximately 40,000 victims were able to find a safe place in an emergency shelter or transitional housing. There are also outreach programs that people can contact to assist with children’s advocacy, court accompaniment and other legal support, and general advocacy. In one day, 32,000 people in the United States received help from an outreach program. With the two services combined, that is over 70,000 people who got help in the United States.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please reach out and get help. Check in your state for domestic violence shelters or contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or http://www.TheHotline.org