2025 Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Update October 31, 2025

Throughout the month, SCVS sought to engage community members in an open dialogue about domestic violence, its underlying causes, and how to support survivors. Some highlights from DVAM this year include:

• DVAM Proclamation- Our Executive Director attended the October 7th commissioners meeting, where she delivered a formal statement recognizing the significance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the ongoing impact of domestic violence in our community. By presenting the official proclamation, she emphasized the importance of raising awareness, supporting survivors, and reaffirming the commitment of our agency and agencies across the commonwealth to those affected by domestic violence. This declaration ensures that the issue remains a visible priority throughout the month of October, encouraging community members to unite in the fight against domestic violence.
  Lauren and the commisioners with the signed proclomation.
  
• Purple Pumpkin Project- We aim to raise community awareness of our office and the services we can provide for survivors of domestic violence by decorating with purple painted pumpkins. These vibrant, eye-catching pumpkins not only brighten up our space but also serve as a symbol of support and solidarity for survivors. By displaying them prominently, we hope to spark important conversations, encourage community members to learn more about the resources available, and reinforce the message that help is always within reach.
  First Picture: Our pretty pumpkin populated porch.
  Second and Third Picture: Malachi painting the pumpkins purple
  
  
• Read Between the Vines: Every1 Knows Some1- Thank you to the library for letting us fill their window for the month of October. We highlighted some books with themes of domestic violence that are available at the library. We hope our display encouraged people to look closer and "Read Between the Vines".
  
• Social Media Campaign- We posted every day on Facebook and Instagram in October! We shared lots of resources for survivors of domestic violence and the people that support them. Check out our social pages if you haven't seen them yet.         
• Purple Thursday- On Thursday, October 16, our staff wore our varying shades of purple to show our support for survivors. We also worked with the Sullivan County High School SADD club to organize Purple Thursday in the high school. We had a bunch of students show up in their purple and we're proud of them for taking a stance and showing that our community supports survivors.
  First Picture: Malachi, Lauren, Amanda, Brenda, Renee, Bethany in our outdoor community space
  Second Picture: Renee, Bethany, and SADD Club Advisor Kayln Essick in front of SCHS

     

• GiveForDV - Depending on when you read this, you can still donate to our GiveForDV campaign!
  Visit givefordv.nnedv.org/organizations/sullivan-county-victim-services. Your donation helps survivors rebuild their lives and move forward in safety, free from abuse.

Thank you to everyone who participated in Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We hope that this month led you to think more about survivor's struggles and what you can do to support them. Remember that Every1 Knows Some1.

Original Post September 30, 2025

Sullivan County Victim Services is proud to announce its partnership with the national #Every1KnowsSome1 campaign in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This collaborative effort aims to shed light on the pervasive issue of domestic violence and empower people to come together as communities to address this epidemic.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month, held annually in October, allows communities nationwide to join forces to raise awareness about the far-reaching impact of domestic violence. The #Every1KnowsSome1 campaign focuses on the theme that everyone knows someone affected by domestic violence, whether they realize it or not.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 47.3% of women and 44.2% of men in the United States have reported contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner at some point in their lifetime. The CDC also finds that lesbian women (56.3%), gay men (47.7%), bisexual women (69.3%), and bisexual men (46.1%) face even higher rates of violence.

High rates of domestic violence are not private, individual problems; they require community solutions. By acknowledging this reality, we can collectively work towards ending domestic violence and creating safe, healthy communities for everyone.

During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Sullivan County Victim Services stands with survivors and celebrates the strength it takes for individuals to heal and move forward.  Together, we can create change and work towards building a community where hope, healing, and safety are possible for all.

Lauren Edkin, Executive Director

Through a series of events and activities throughout the month, SCVS seeks to engage community members in an open dialogue about domestic violence, its underlying causes, and how to support survivors. We encourage everyone in the community to get involved and support the campaign during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Some key highlights of the campaign include:

• DVAM Proclamation- We will be attending the October 7th county commissioners meeting to officially recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  Come support survivors.
• Purple Pumpkin Project- Drive by our office to see our porch decorated to support DV survivors.
• Read Between the Vines: Every1 Knows Some1- We're partnering with the library to advocate for DV survivors in our community. We'll be making a window display showcasing books that touch on themes of domestic violence.
• Social Media Campaign- Engage with us on social media using the hashtag #Every1KnowsSome1 as we share stories, resources, and messages of hope, spreading the word and creating a united front against domestic violence. 
• Purple Thursday- On Thursday, October 16, wear purple to show your support of domestic violence survivors and your commitment to ending abuse! Take a selfie in your purple and share it on social media with #PurpleThursday #DVAM #Every1KnowsSome.
• GiveForDV - Visit givefordv.nnedv.org/organizations/sullivan-county-victim-services to make a gift on the official DVAM Day of Giving on Thursday, October 23. Or sign up for your own fundraiser to encourage friends and family to support survivors all month! Every gift makes a difference for survivors as they rebuild their lives free from abuse.

Through these events and activities, Sullivan County Victim Services aims to unite our community, encourage open conversations, and create a supportive environment where survivors can find hope and healing.

Find more information on abuse below and check back to this page for any updates on our Domestic Violence Awareness Month initiatives.

✦ Resource Roundup

🔗About Abuse - PCADV

Relationship abuse isn't always black and white. Learn basic information about domestic violence, along with the signs, different types, and practical steps to end domestic violence.

🔗What to Do When You See or Suspect Abuse - PCADV

Often, the best way to help a victim of domestic violence isn’t through direct intervention–which can be dangerous for everyone involved. Unless someone is at immediate risk of being harmed there are other ways to help.

🔗10 Tips to Have an Informed Conversation about Domestic Violence - NNEDV

Domestic violence can be difficult to talk about. Here are 10 tips to make you more confident while talking about DV.

Need support now?

Call our hotline 570-946-4215 for free and confidential services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and all other crimes 24/7.

Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Visit thetrevorproject.org to get mental health resources and crisis support for LGBTQ+ youth

Call 1-800-588-1828 if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction in Sullivan County.

If your safety is in immediate danger call 911.