Domestic Violence Awareness Month

The prevalence of domestic violence is never lost on those who work every day to serve survivors. For others, it can be easy to dismiss domestic violence as a private matter and overlook its widespread prevalence. But chances are likely you know someone who is experiencing or has experienced violence by an intimate partner or family member, even if you aren’t aware of it happening. In fact, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes.

That’s why each year October is acknowledged as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic Violence Services is committed to ending domestic abuse in Lancaster County through advocacy, direct services and social change. We need the continued support of you, our supporters and community, to achieve this mission.

Last year, Domestic Violence Services (DVS), a program of Community Action Partnership, served 1,719 local victims of domestic violence, including 86 children. DVS provided 5,796 hours of services to adults through our: 24-hour hotline, individual and group counseling, case management services at our emergency safe house and bridge house, and civil legal services at our legal center. The 86 children engaged in our services received 312 hours of trauma informed support in individual and group settings.

We invite you, our community and allied professional partners, to join us this year as we Connect the Dots to raise awareness about domestic abuse, have conversations about the needs of domestic abuse victims/survivors and our role as a community in supporting them, and building relationships to create systemic changes in Lancaster County.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month Events 

• Sunday, Oct 1 – 4th Annual Bakers Uprising Bake Sale & Community Health Fair
• Tuesday, Oct 3 – Domestic Violence Awareness Launch Event 

Silent Witness National Initiative

Remember My Story. Remember My Name.

In 1990, the Silent Witness Initiative began promoting and education to support an end to domestic violence through community-based exhibits.  It started with a small group of volunteers in one state and grew into an international presence, with projects in all 50 states and 23 countries. Silent Witness International is the leading voice that honors the lives of domestic violence homicide victims through family support, community connections, and advocacy for change.

DVS, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health and Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office have partnered together for more than 20 years to tell the stories of those who lived in Lancaster County and lost their lives as a result of domestic abuse. “Hear” their stories as presented by these life size figurines.

September 26th – October 10th morning

• Government Center
  150 N. Queen Street Lancaster, PA 17603

October 10th – October 12th morning

• Penn Medicine Suburban Outpatient Pavilion
  2100 Harrisburg Pike Lancaster, PA 17603

October 12th – October 16th morning

• Franklin and Marshall College Steinman College Center Atrium
  600 College Avenue Lancaster, PA 17604

October 16th – October 20th

• Elizabethtown College Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness & Well-Being
  1 Alpha Drive
  Elizabethtown, PA 17022

October 23rd – October 26th

• Thaddeus Stevens College Jones Building – Cafeteria
  750 East King Street Lancaster, PA 17602

October 26th – October 30th

• Ephrata Library
  550 South Reading Road Ephrata, PA 17522

October 30th – November 3rd

• Millersville University Student Memorial Center
  1 South George Street Millersville, PA 17551