Did you know that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month?
Each year, since 1987, the President of the United States issues a proclamation declaring October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Here in Bucks County, our commissioners do the same to acknowledge the month county-wide.
In 2012, there were approximately 627,053 people living in Bucks County. More than 300,000 of those people were women. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 3 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, which is equivalent to more than 100,000 women in our own county. In addition, the CDC also reports that 1 in 3 teens will experience some form of abuse in a dating relationship.
In October 1994 the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), helped to create Remember My Name, a national registry to increase public awareness of domestic violence deaths.
In the last 10 months, five Bucks County residents have died in a domestic violence related incident. The No More Campaign, a national campaign to end domestic violence and sexual assault, said it best: “These are not numbers. They’re our mothers, girlfriends, brothers, sisters, children, co-workers and friends. They’re the persons you confide in most at work, the people in your book club, your teenager’s best friend – or your teen, herself. The silence and shame must end for good.”
A Woman’s Place (AWP), the only domestic violence community benefit organization in Bucks County, would like to encourage the community to take a stand and say “No More” to domestic violence in Bucks County.
This Thursday, October 24th, at 6:30 p.m., AWP staff, board members, and volunteers, along with the community, will gather at Rolling Hills United Methodist Church, (7028 Easton Rd, Pipersville PA 18947) for their annual Domestic Violence Awareness Candlelight Vigil. AWP invites you to join them as they celebrate the survivors, pay tribute to those who lost their lives, and honor the spirit of the community members who work tirelessly to make Bucks County a safer community to live and work.
A light supper will be served following the program. Please RSVP to the Director of Public Advocacy Jenny Salisbury at 215.343.9241 x108 or jsalisbury@awomansplace.org
About the Contributor: A Woman’s Place (AWP) is the only domestic violence organization in Bucks County, PA. AWP provides comprehensive free, private, and confidential service, support, education, outreach, and advocacy to victims of domestic and dating violence and their children and the community. To learn more, visit www.awomansplace.org or email Director of Public Advocacy Jenny Salisbury at jsalisbury@awomansplace.org.