Oct. 15, 2025 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief
Content warning: this article discusses domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse
Every October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, or DVAM, takes place, allowing for survivors to unite and share their varied, but equally important, experiences through different spotlights, workshops and events across the country. The month is lit up with a signature royal purple — usually with a lavender addition and ribbon, much like other awareness months — and presents a theme: this year, it’s “With Survivors, Always.”
The Domestic Violence Awareness Project is highlighting solidarity and support in tandem with the theme, stating, “It is both a love letter and a call to action for those committed to advocating for survivors’ needs and rights.”
Domestic violence statistics from the National Domestic Violence Hotline state that more than 12 million Americans in a single year are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner. Almost half of all men and women have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. Women aged 18-34 generally experience the highest rates of violence from a partner. More statistics find that women are likely to be abused or experience violence by the same partner more than once.
In America, 1 in 10 women report being raped by an intimate partner.
It’s estimated that 30 percent to 60 percent of perpetrators committing domestic abuse against their partners also abuse children in the household — with one study stating that children who were exposed to violence in the home were more likely to be physically or sexually assaulted later on than the national average.
Western’s own Abby’s House, Center for Equity and Gender Justice, discusses domestic violence in and outside of October; year-round, the staff at Abby’s House educate and provide important resources for anyone who may need them.
According to Western’s Annual Security and Fire Report, also known as the Clery Report, at least 14 cases of domestic or dating violence were accounted for among Western students in the last year.
According to Abby’s House director Kristen Perry, college students are at a much higher risk of being victims of any kind of interpersonal violence than other parties, such as former students or non-students.
According to the National Library of Medicine, in a study of 873 young adult women, more than half — 52 percent — of female undergraduate students reported experiencing some form of violence in their lifetime. Almost 12 percent reported intimate partner violence or sexual violence in their previous semester or term.
“We get a handful of people coming in (for domestic violence). It’s happening more than that,” said Perry. According to the Clery Report, it’s happened on Western’s campus — and continues to.
When a student comes to Abby’s House, they have a few options. Talking to a confidential advocate, like Perry, is one of them. Confidential advocates at Abby’s House will keep any personal information and experiences confidential unless there are present threats of violence to anybody. Students can meet with confidential advocates either just to talk or to begin the process of receiving further support, such as engaging in safety planning, placing no-contact orders, receiving academic help or even getting assistance in moving out of their residence if it presents a risk.
“I’ve seen (change) firsthand with students that I’ve worked with. I’ve been here, this is my third year here, and I’ve seen the students that I work with come in on the worst days of their life (become) a completely changed person,” said confidential advocate Kailey Knospe. “They have empowerment back. And seeing that change is amazing. I’d say we do really impactful work, and not just with survivors, but also in prevention work as well, educating the campus community.”
“If a student comes in experiencing any type of interpersonal violence, sexual assault, dating violence, stalking, harassment, we can do almost anything they need within reason,” said Perry. “We always tell students, ‘Please tell us what you’re struggling with and we can offer ideas and suggestions.’ Our job is to be there and support students for whatever they need within reason. … We are so happy to work with you and find something to help you and support you and get you through whatever it is that you need.”
Abby’s House contributes in breaking down commonplace stigmas regarding assault and violence through different workshops. Victims and survivors of domestic violence are likely to face doubt, victim blaming and other forms of critique; DVAM works to dismantle the systems that allow for that through education and raising awareness — a facet of Abby’s House’s mission.
“If you’re ever ready to talk about it, we’re here,” said Knospe regarding survivors of violence on campus. “We’re more than happy to talk to you and listen to your story. We will believe you with whatever’s happened to you. And whatever’s happened to you isn’t your fault.”
It is difficult to estimate the percentage of false domestic violence accusations alongside other forms of accusations, such as sexual assault, but it’s predicted that less than eight percent are fictitious.
“Survivors don’t really gain a lot by coming forward and reporting it,” said Perry. “Usually, survivors are not believed when they come forward. It takes a lot of incredible bravery and courage to be able to come forward. … It’s so easy to say things about people who report things and it goes on the news.”
According to domesticshelters.org, only about 1 in 4 cases of domestic violence get reported to the police, and less than 2 percent of abusers face any jail time for the assault.
Abby’s House is a great resource for anyone interested in learning about Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Anybody struggling — be it DV, sexual assault, financial struggles, mental health or anything else — Abby’s House will find a way to help you or point you in the right direction. Emailing Perry or Knospe, coming into Abby’s House or sending a message to the confidentialadvocate@mail.wou.edu email address are great ways to get connected and hopefully start the conversation regarding domestic violence.
“You’re not alone,” said Perry. “Even if you don’t want to talk about it, or you never talk about it, you didn’t deserve what happened to you.”
Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu
