Domestic Violence Awareness Month

What is Domestic Violence Awareness Month?

For over 35 years, YWCA has been offering a wide range of services to victims of domestic violence, including culturally specific services for immigrant, refugee, and BIPOC communities; referrals to partner organizations and shelters; referrals to YWCA’s transitional housing programs; court- and community-based advocacy; crisis intervention; safety planning and danger assessment; and tangible assistance with housing and other essential basic needs.

Domestic violence does not discriminate and can affect anyone, regardless of culture, race, age, income, education, religion, or sexual orientation. YWCA is committed to providing services to victims of domestic violence all year but focuses advocacy efforts in the community during October in recognition of the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month campaign. This October, YWCA Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley launches its 9th annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month campaign. Every October, YWCA will conduct educational training through Domestic Violence 101 sessions, painting the streets in purple ribbons and partnering with local businesses through percentage nights.

Outreach and Education

YWCA advocates are available to lead in-person Domestic Violence 101 trainings to educate community members. Interested in taking part? Please contact Latoya Shephard, Director of Victim Services at lshephard@ywcaknox.com.

All month long, YWCA will wrap the town purple in our Purple Ribbon Campaign around downtown Knoxville and at Jackson Square in Oak Ridge. These ribbons will contain QR codes that will lead directly to our website, where anyone can quickly access our contact information for life-saving programs #YWeBelieveYou.

Wear Purple With YW!

Join YWCA in wearing a “We Believe You” shirt all year long in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Add to your purple wardrobe with these tees available for purchase here! Over 30% of the proceeds are donated back to YWCA to support our life-saving domestic violence support services.

Peer-to-Peer Crowdfunding Campaign

This year, friends can create their own online campaigns to help crowdfund donations for YWCA’s life-saving domestic violence services. Personal campaigns can be created all year long here! If you have any questions on how to create a Peer-to-Peer cause, contact Lorena Meza Hubbard, Director of Events & Communications, at lhubbard@ywcaknox.com.

Highlights

2021 Highlights

PURPLE HEARTS SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN

Thank you for taking a stand against domestic violence by sharing YWCA’s DVAM Hearts on your social media platforms to say #YWeBelieveYou to survivors and victims. Together, we can stop the cycle of domestic violence.

2020 Highlights

WE BELIEVE YOU PLEDGE

Thank you to all our staff, board, friends and partners for joining us in the “We Believe You” pledge. Take a look at our video below!

2019 Highlights

CITY AND COUNTY PROCLAMATIONS

AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS AND CANDLELIGHT VIGILS

TALKS AND TOAST WITH ELLEN REID

OAK RIDGE COORDINATED COMMUNITY RESPONSE BREAKFAST

Take the “We Believe You” Pledge Today!

We know that 1 in 3 women will be a victim of domestic violence and because of this, join YWCA in pledging to take a stand against domestic violence. Pledge to listen to victims and survivors. Pledge to amplify the voices of victims, survivors, and advocates. Pledge to say “I believe you.”

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