October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which began in October 1987, and we at The Daily Eastern News want to help spread awareness, information and ways to get help for those who are victims of domestic violence. The purpose of Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to help victims of domestic violence and help spread awareness about statistics and signs of domestic violence.

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, NCADV, reported that on an average day, domestic violence hotlines receive more than 20,000 calls nationwide. The NCADV also reported that 19% of domestic violence involves a weapon, only 34% of people injured by domestic violence receive hospital treatment for the injury, domestic violence accounts for 15% of all violent crimes and victims of domestic violence are more prone to experience depression or suicidal behavior. 

The National Domestic Violence Hotline reported that on average one in three women and one in four men in the U.S. will be a victim of domestic violence. On average in the U.S., the hotline reported 24 people are a victim of domestic violence each minute, which totals to approximately 12 million Americans every year. The hotline also reported 35.6% of women and 28.5% of men in the U.S. are a victim of domestic violence, women from ages 18 to 34 have the highest rates of being victims of domestic violence and from 1994 to 2010, four in five victims were female.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or text “START” to 88788.