Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Resources for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

By Moira McLaughlin

September 30, 2025

After 38 years of raising awareness around domestic violence every October, why do we still have to do it? Because domestic violence is still a public health issue that affects millions of women, men, and families every year.

• 10 million people in the U.S. are impacted by domestic violence annually. (That’s about the population of Michigan.)
• About 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will experience physical violence by an intimate partner at some point during their lifetimes.
• Homicide by an intimate partner is the leading cause of death for pregnant women.
• Over half of female homicide victims are killed by a current or former male intimate partner.

But there is some good news. Because of funding for education, domestic violence programs, and awareness campaigns, FUTURES and our partners have been able to reduce domestic violence by over 60 percent in the last 40 years. The work we have all done together, from healthcare professionals to employers to advocates and policymakers, has made a difference.

Resources

We have also compiled below our best resources for the month for you – advocates, professionals, parents, and more– to help you continue the work of ending domestic violence.

Healthcare providers

• Use this toolkit to spread awareness about the Heath Cares About Domestic Violence Day on October 8.
• Enhance your emergency preparedness with this document.
• Learn about the intersections of sexual and domestic violence.
• Adopt the evidence-based “CUES” intervention (Confidentiality, Universal Education + Empowerment, and Support) to assist survivors and prevent further violence.
• Download or order copies of our safety cards in multiple languages, including Hanging Out or Hooking Up?

Employers and co-workers

• Recognize the signs that an employee may be experiencing domestic violence.
• Watch these videos to understand the impacts of domestic violence on survivors and how to help them in the workplace.
• See this factsheet about domestic and dating violence in the workplace.

Coaches

• Join our Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) violence prevention program that trains and motivates high school coaches, or our Coaching Leadership & Respect (CLEAR) program that trains college coaches to teach young male athletes healthy relationship skills and more.

Parents

• Learn about the five protective factors for adult and child survivors of domestic violence.
• Read our safety card, “Hanging Out or Hooking Up?” which offers guidelines on preventing, identifying, and addressing teen dating violence.
• Check out this safety card that helps families be resilient and strong.

Advocates and Survivors

• Watch Love Letter to Survivors to spread the message that survivors are worthy of love, joy, and thriving.
• Learn to integrate health and wellness into domestic violence advocacy programs.
• Check out “Is Your Relationship Affecting Your Health?” safety card to help you recognize how your relationship can affect your health and the lives of your children, with information on safety planning and hotlines for support.

If you or someone you know needs help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).