LEE COUNTY - October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month DVIP/RVAP invites the community to join them for a month of awareness and support for victim-survivors of domestic and dating violence.
Stemming from a national “Day of Unity” in 1981, communities across the country have come together in October to bring awareness and celebrate the resilience of domestic violence victim-survivors. DVIP/RVAP Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Services continues to build on the awareness programs started over 45 years ago.
This year’s theme, “Why the Work Matters,” reminds us why, decades later, these activities help change the course of victim-survivors' lives and fulfi ll our mission of Safety and Dignity. Always. As advocates, we meet with victim-survivors every day who share their struggles to fi nd safety, overcome impossible obstacles, and rebuild their lives. All the work DVIP/RVAP does is in service to them and is made possible by our community partners, who are willing to stand up and say, “We believe you, we support you, and we are here for you.”
Upcoming events:
● Community Proclamations - Multiple city council and board of supervisors meetings across the DVIP/RVAP service region will be proclaiming October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month - show your support by attending these meetings and silently standing with our advocates. (September - October: contact communityengagement@dvipiowa.org to fi nd out when your community's proclamation is)
● Shop for Safety - Advocates and Volunteers will be at HyVee and Fareway stores on October 9th from 3:30 to 6:30 pm in Burlington, Mt. Pleasant, Keokuk, Ft. Madison, and Washington . This event invites the public to donate items from our shopping list, which we then distribute to victim-survivors in the community. These items provide non-perishable foods, hygiene products, and more for nearly six months!
● Library Displays - Throughout all 8 counties in the DVIP/RVAP service region, local libraries are helping us turn the page on domestic violence with displays featuring books that discuss survivors’ stories, resiliency, and paths to healing. Visit your local library to learn more or visit our reading list online.
● Shop for Safety - Advocates and Volunteers will be at Johnson County area HyVee and Fareway stores on October 17th from 9 am to 2 pm . This is one of the largest in-kind donation drives of the year and provides much-needed hygiene supplies, non-perishable foods, and kid snacks to victim-survivors residing in our emergency shelter and receiving services throughout Johnson County. These supplies last up to 6 months and are vital for DVIP/RVAP’s ability to remove barriers that victim-survivors face daily.
● Clothesline Project - The Clothesline Project is a visual display of violence statistics that often go ignored. Each shirt displayed is made by a survivor of violence or by someone who has lost a loved one to violence. During the exhibit, participants hear three distinct sounds. Each represents the frequency of diff erent violence statistics. The gong is struck every 10-12 seconds to indicate a person being physically abused by an intimate partner. The whistle is blown every minute to indicate a sexual assault being reported. The bell is rung every four minutes to indicate a person dying in a violent attack. Throughout the month, community members are invited to join us in a shirt-making session and/or attend the Clothesline Project in their respective communities . To learn more about a shirt-making session near you, please email communityengagement@dvipiowa.org .
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here