In 1989, Congress passed legislation designating October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This month and always, the California Women’s Law Center supports victims of abuse and we continue to work to end domestic violence in California and across the country.

Domestic violence can be physical, verbal, sexual, emotional or economical, and often involves intimidation. It occurs in all cultures and to people of all races, ethnicities and religions. Every year more than 10 million people are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. One in three women and one in four men report they have been victims of some form of physical violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime. More than 20,000 phone calls per day are placed to domestic violence hotlines nationwide. On average, three women are murdered by their husbands or partners in this country every day.

Please join CWLC and our allies in raising our collective voices in support of survivors by helping us increase awareness about domestic violence.

Here are a few ways you can get involved in the effort to end domestic violence:

1. Donate to the Handbags of Hope event on Saturday, October 14, 2017. This outreach effort seeks donations of new or slightly used handbags filled with personal care items including a toothbrush/toothpaste, deodorant, lotion, comb/brush, feminine hygiene products and a $15 gift card to Target or Walgreens. The bags will be delivered to domestic violence shelters throughout Los Angeles. Please contact CWLC if you would like to donate a handbag.

2. Support The Positive Results Corporation by purchasing tickets to their 2nd Annual Purple Purse Tea Party show and fundraiser on Sunday, October 22, 2017 from 3PM – 7PM in Los Angeles. You can see CWLC’s Executive Director, Betsy Butler, model a purse during the Purse Fashion Show. Proceeds from the event will benefit The Positive Results Corporation Awareness and Prevention Programs and Peer Advocate Training. If you would like to purchase a ticket and attend the event, please contact Kandee Lewis at info@prc123.org or call (323)787-9252.

3. Speak out and talk to family, friends and colleagues about domestic violence. This helps decrease the stigma of domestic violence and helps build a network of support for survivors.

4. Volunteer or donate to your local shelters and domestic violence agencies.

5. Wear Purple. Purple is the color of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Throughout the month, please join CWLC in wearing purple to show your support for survivors and your commitment to putting an end to domestic violence.