October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Wear a White Ribbon or Purple Ribbon to Show Your Support! Click below to take action.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is a national movement to bring public attention to the problem of intimate partner violence. While October is the official month for this campaign, many individuals and organizations in Longmont make domestic violence awareness their goal every single day.

Facts (for a Colorado Domestic Violence Fact Sheet, click HERE):

  • Domestic violence is Longmont’s No. 1 public safety issue. More people are injured from domestic violence than any other crime in Longmont.
  • Domestic violence is a serious public health issue. Nearly one-third of American women report having been physically or sexually abused by a boyfriend or husband at some point in their lives.
  • Many children exposed to domestic violence exhibit behavioral and physical health problems, and what they experience growing up has an enormous impact on their future relationships.
  • Between 13-25% of teenage girls have been in a physically or verbally abusive relationship.

Domestic violence is not a family, individual or police issue – it is a community issue. Domestic violence in Longmont can be stopped, but it is going to take our residents working together to create a unified community that does not tolerate domestic violence. You can help. We ALL can.

EVENTS

Month of October – “Off the Shelf” – Longmont Public Library, 409 4th Avenue – A display of books and materials on domestic violence throughout the library.

October 5, 2012 – Light of Hope – 6 p.m. – Isaak Walton Park, 18 S. Sunset. Community event and candlelight vigil to remember and honor victims and survivors. For information, see this Vigil Flyer or call Safe Shelter at 303.772.0432.

Domestic Violence film series

October 16, 2012 – Domestic Violence Film Series - 7 pm at the Longmont Public Library. Join us for our first in a series of three films that highlight different aspects of domestic violence. The movie selected for the evening will be Telling Amy’s Story and will be followed by moderated discussion. For complete details on the series, check out this DV Film Series Flyer.

October 23, 2012 – Domestic Violence Film Series - 7 pm at the Longmont Public Library. Join us for our second feature in our series. The movie selected for the evening will be Dear Zachary. A short moderated discussion will follow. For complete details on the series, check out this DV Film Series Flyer.

October 30, 2012 – Domestic Violence Film Series - 7 pm at the Longmont Public Library. Join us for our final evening of the series will feature the film Twilight…unplugged.  View the messages about relationships buried in this vampire love story.  Details on this DV Film Series Flyer.

October 25, 2012 – 19th Annual Beth Haynes Award – 2 p.m., Boulder Public Library auditorium, 1000 Canyon. Award recognizes the outstanding work of a Boulder County law enforcement officer. This year Boulder Police Department Detective, Jack Gardner is the recipient. Three Longmont Police Department detectives will be recognized as nominees.  In addition,Victim Services Assistant Jaylynn Wayman as well as the Longmont PD Cyber Crimes unit will receive special recognition awards for their work assisting victims.

NEWS

The following articles have appeared locally in the media during October:

2012

2011

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Educate yourself: Get the facts, and find out what resources are available in the community. Browse this website and contact LEVI for more information.

Help a victim: Let them know you are there for them. Tell them they don’t deserve to be abused and that they can live a life free of abuse. Let them know about area services that can help. Services for victims include but are not limited to safe shelter, counseling, social services, legal advocacy, legal aid, low-income healthcare and child care, protection (restraining) orders, temporary safe pet housing, sexual assault resources, employment, self-sufficiency assistance and housing. Children who have been exposed to domestic violence can receive counseling, mentoring, supervised visitations and safe exchanges between parents.

Talk to an abuser: Always remember that while an abusive person may be open to talking with you, true change can only occur if that person is willing to be accountable for their actions, and be willing to take the necessary steps to help themselves. Domestic violence certified treatment and counseling is available to abusers.

Wear a ribbon! The purple ribbon helps raise awareness for domestic violence. The white ribbon is a symbol men wear to show they want to end ALL violence against women. Ask others to wear a ribbon.
Individual ribbon pick-up locations:

  • Longmont Police Department lobby (ribbons are located in the wall display just to the left of the Records desk)
  • YMCA of Longmont
  • Longmont Civic Center
  • Longmont Senior Center
  • Longmont Public Library
  • Longmont United Hospital

Distribute ribbons. Please help by distributing purple and white ribbons to othes in the Longmont area – at your place of employment, at church, at your civic organizations, or some place else. Contact LEVI to arrange to pick up larger quantities of purple and/or white ribbons.

Set a good example: Other people see your behaviors and actions, especially young people. Treat others with respect, and teach the young people in your life that domestic violence is wrong.

Raise awareness in larger groups, such as during Sunday church services, during business meetings, or group meetings. Here are a few ideas: Ask your pastor for a couple of minutes to talk about efforts to end domestic violence, or ask to have it included in the bulletin or talked about in a sermon. During a business meeting or other group meeting, take a few minutes to talk about the efforts.

Take a stand: Domestic violence is not a private family matter. It is not an individual issue. It is not just a women’s issue. And, the police cannot solve this problem alone. Every single person can and should play a role in resolving domestic violence in Longmont.