BLOG: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

So begins another month at the District Attorney’s office. Each month, the office is committed to participating in and supporting various efforts and initiatives that aim to improve the general welfare of those living in Bristol County.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month – a cause bearing great weight in our daily work here at the office, as well as in the lives of our community members. This month, members of the District Attorney’s Office will participate in various events taking place throughout the county. In addition, we hope to educate and raise awareness. Be sure to follow the District Attorney on Twitter and the office page on Facebook. 

For your convenience, we have created an Events Calendar listing all community events. If you have an event to add, please email us.

Fast Facts:

• Domestic violence affects more than 12 million people each year. 
• 1 in 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime
• 1 in 3 teens admit to experiencing some form of abuse in a relationship
• 18% of high school females and 7% of high school boys report being physically hurt by someone they are dating.
• Nearly 1 in 5 women have been raped in their lifetime while 1 in 71 men have been raped in their lifetime.
• The US Dept. of Justice says, women ages 16-24 experience the highest per capita rate of intimate partner violence.

>> In 2013 alone, 22 deaths resulted from domestic violence in Massachusetts. View a full Massachusetts snapshot of domestic and sexual violence. Click to learn more about violence against women, domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking, on the Jane Doe Inc. website, the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence.

What we’re doing this month…

We are proud to announce that we will be collecting old cell phones and parts to benefit victims of domestic violence. This is a partnership between the office and Verizon HopeLine. You may drop off items to any police station throughout Bristol County. A press release with full information will be announced soon.

We will also be unveiling new literature and resources created by this office, including an “Area Guide to New Bedford Domestic Violence Services” and a brochure titled, “Teens, Technology, and Dating Violence.” These documents will soon be available for download.

The District Attorney’s Office also donated brand new purple LED lights to the City of New Bedford for its annual tree lighting. Be sure to view the tree which will be lit all month. The official lighting takes place October 1st at 7:00pm in front of New Bedford City Hall.

>> For help, please visit our Resources page. If you face immediate danger and/or abuse, call 911.