Oftentimes, the effects of domestic violence are incorrectly seen as isolated, extending only a short period of time after the abuse and effecting only the direct recipient of the abuse. In combination with hesitancy to intervene in what is seen as “other people’s business,” this can lead many to the false assumption that domestic violence is a confined and personal issue that should be addressed by only victims of the abuse. In reality, the devastating effects of domestic violence can be seen in life-long health care costs, workplace productivity, and many more aspects of our society.

In addition to the long-term emotional and psychological effects that domestic violence has on its survivors, there is a tangible cost to victims, their communities, and society as a whole. Domestic violence costs our nation billions of dollars annually, including costs for medical and mental health care, lost productivity, and homicide lost earnings. Nationally, estimates of the medical cost burden of intimate partner violence, within the first 12 months after victimization, range from $2.3 billion to $7 billion dollars (depending on the research method used). Survivors of physical intimate partner violence have reported an average of 7.2 days of work-related lost productivity and 33.9 days in productivity losses associated with other activities.

Through government funding and volunteer donations, domestic violence shelter costs are born by American society. Providing the benefits of shelters and services to individuals and communities ultimately benefits all Americans because the benefits improve our communities. This broader social benefit is one rationale for increasing our individual efforts to assist in the prevention of domestic violence and/or the assistance provided to survivors. Considering the widespread and long-term effects of domestic violence on our loved ones, our community, and our society, it becomes clear that domestic violence cannot be tolerated or ignored.

(National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 2016)

In correlation with the National Week of Action theme, faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to sign up to take a stand against domestic and intimate partner violence- literally! Symbolic of our refusal to be passive bystanders of intimate partner violence in our community, we will have at least one person “taking a stand” in A. Lincoln Commons from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Participants can sign up for a time slot that fits your schedule here. Share a message of your commitment to taking a stand against domestic violence using #TakeAStand.

This week is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Week of Action! SAVE Taskforce and the Feminist Activist Coalition will have programming throughout the week and would love your participation! Throughout the week, we encourage everyone to post about their participation in DVAM Week of Action events with the hashtag #TakeAStand

Week-long Activities:

Feminist Activist Coalition will be sponsoring a used cell phone drive throughout the week and sending the cell phones to a domestic violence resource center. Wireless phones offer a lifeline for those effected by domestic violence, providing a way to dial 911 without needing their personal phone. Collection boxes for old, used phones will be in Student Life and Advising, Counseling, and Career Services.

Write Witness…to Stories of Love, Loss, Healing, Help, Pain, and Promise. LLCC’s Writing Center is celebrating the National Day on Writing in connection with Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Visit the Center anytime during the week and contribute a response to the display, or post your reply on the Writing Center Facebook page.

Monday, Oct. 17 – Pledge Day
As members of the LLCC community, pledge to use your education, experiences, and voices to speak out against intimate partner violence. Sign the pledge and post on social media about why you took the pledge or the steps you will take to live up to your pledge. Remember, use #TakeAStand to be a part of the national conversation on ending domestic violence! Continue reading →