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 

MEDIA Events (not open to the public)

• Tuesday, Oct. 3 
  • Domestic Violence Awareness Month launch, 9 to 10 a.m., The Ware Center – Owen Salon, 42 North Prince Street 

  Thursday, Oct. 26 

  • Garden Dedication, 4 p.m., DVS Bridge House (confidential address available upon request) 
    • A new garden at DVS’s transitional housing apartments will be dedicated to DVS volunteer and advocate Fran Kane, the 2021 Catalyst for Change Award recipient.  

PUBLIC Events 

• Wednesday, Oct. 4 
  • Lancaster County Commissioners DVAM Proclamation, 9:15 a.m., Lancaster County Government Center, 150 N. Queen St. 

  Tuesday, Oct. 10 

  • Lancaster City Council DVAM Proclamation, 6 p.m., Lancaster City Hall, 120 N. Duke St. 

  Thursday, Oct. 19 

  • Day of Unity – Wear Purple Day 
  • Wear purple to show your support for domestic violence awareness. Share photos on social media and tag @cap_lanc on Instagram; and @DVSLanc on Facebook and Twitter 

  Friday, Oct. 20 

  • Sidewalk Chalk with the Lancaster City Police Department, 9 a.m., Lancaster City Police Bureau, 39 W. Chestnut St. 
  • A creative and interactive event, working alongside the Lancaster City Police Department to spread awareness through sidewalk chalk art. 

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.

• 9/26 to 10/9 – Lancaster County Government Center, 150 N. Queen St.  
• 10/9 to 10/12 - Penn Medicine Suburban Outpatient Pavilion, 2100 Harrisburg Pike 
• 10/12 to 10/16 – F& M College, Steinman College Center Atrium, 600 College Ave. 
• 10/16 to 10/20 – Elizabethtown College, Bowers Center, 1 Alpha Drive, Elizabethtown 
• 10/23 to 10/26 Thaddeus Stevens College, Jones Building Cafeteria, 750 E. King St. 
• 10/26 to 10/30 Ephrata Public Library, 550 S. Reading Rd., Ephrata 
• 10/30 to 11/3 Millersville University, Student Memorial Center, 1 S. George St., Millersville