October has been declared National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. If you or anyone you know needs help with this issue, or if you would like to learn more about it, please see the book lists and resources listed below for more information.
Book Lists
From the Women’s Center for Advancement: https://wcaomaha.org/dvam-2020-booklist/
From Five Books: https://fivebooks.com/best-books/domestic-violence-tanya-selvaratnam/
From Domestic Shelters.org: https://www.domesticshelters.org/resources/books/becoming-a-survivor
From New Beginnings: https://newbegin.org/learn-more/reading-and-resource-list/
National and Local Resources
For emergencies, dial 911.
For anonymous, confidential help available 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY)
Shelters for Women and Families: https://www.startherestl.org/shelters-for-women.html or St. Patrick Center, Mobile Outreach Hotline 314-561-0278
The Women’s Safe House: https://twsh.org/ or 24-Hour Crisis Intervention Hotline 314-772-4535
Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois: https://www.vpcswi.org/ or 24 Hour Crisis Hotline 618-235-0892
Join Me at the Table, a 501(c)3 organization based in the St. Louis metro-east area.
Women’s Shelters- a nationwide directory of shelters for women: https://bit.ly/3ACIMhn
From “A Proclamation on National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, 2021″ from the White House:
“Domestic violence affects millions of people in the United States, causes significant harm to the physical and mental health of survivors and their families, undermines their economic stability and overall well-being, and is a stain on the conscience of our country. While significant progress has been made in reducing domestic violence and improving services and support for survivors, much work remains to be done to expand prevention efforts and provide greater access to safety and healing. During National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, we come together to reaffirm our commitment to ending domestic violence and supporting survivors.
Domestic violence is an abuse of power that tears apart the fabric of relationships and families and undermines the well-being of communities. One in 4 women and 1 in 10 men have experienced sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Homicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States for women under the age of 44, and nearly half are killed by a current or former male intimate partner. During the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence has become a pandemic within a pandemic, with many victims facing the added pressures of increased economic insecurity, increased time in isolation with their abusers, and limited contact with their support networks. This has made it even more difficult for victims to access the lifesaving services and support they need.”
The O'Fallon Public Library News 