October 16, 2026

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Many women never call what they’re experiencing “abuse,” because no one ever laid a hand on them. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we’re pairing real survivor stories with practical education to help you recognize the many faces of abuse. In Episode 3, meet Anita and learn about Non-Touch Physical Violence.

Last week we shared about Financial Abuse. Read the newsletter and blog post and watch Angela's Story about Financial Abuse on our Stories of Hope YouTube playlist.

This week we turn to another type of abuse:

Non-Touch Physical Violence

Fear Without a Fist

WAIT!

Before you learn more about Non-Touch Physical Violence below, could you please take a minute to support our campaign to raise funds to keep our ministry running? Click the campaign image to set up a donation.

It takes 1 minute!

So far we have raised $615! Thank you! 
($100 additional funds were sent directly; not shown in the campaign graphic).

But we have a LONG way to go!

Non-Touch Physical Violence, Continued.

This form of abuse is just as damaging as physical touch abuse. It erodes peace, creates constant anxiety, and teaches victims to walk on eggshells. The body may remain untouched, but the heart and mind bear deep scars. Children who witness these moments learn fear instead of trust, silence instead of safety. Families fracture under the weight of invisible violence.

At FOCUS Ministries, we recognize that physical abuse is not always physical contact—it is the use of power and control to dominate, frighten, and silence. Through our Christ‑centered programs, we help women name what’s happening, understand that it is abuse, and begin to rebuild their lives in safety and truth.

Anita's Story, shown in the video below, describes how intimidation creates an environment of fear in which the victim shrinks away and avoids any confrontation in order to protect herself (and her children).

Watch more Stories of Hope on our YouTube channel:

Download this article written by Evelyn Colon to learn more about how Non-Touch Physical Violence creates an environment of fear through intimidation.

We list practical steps to support someone who may be experiencing this type of abuse as well.

Read the article on our blog.

How Do We Help?

We offer a variety of services to support those in crisis as well as those seeking to help a victim.

Here is a brief list of services and resources we offer:

• Free counseling and crisis support for women and families
• Educational workshops that teach churches and communities how to recognize abuse
• Safe spaces and support groups where survivors find understanding and hope
• Resources for safety planning and emotional recovery
• Faith‑based materials that remind survivors of their worth and God’s love

We will walk with you, however long the road ahead of you extends. Reach out today for support for yourself or someone you know. 

For support visit our website or contact us:

www.focusministries1.org (quick-exit button available to avoid cyber-tracking)

contactus@focusministries1.org

630-617-0088

Side Note: To ensure you receive all of our training emails this month, check your spam filter to make sure that you have marked emails from paula@focusminstries1.org as "Primary" inbox emails and mark the email address as "not spam".

This October, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we're asking you to join us in raising $60,000 to sustain our ongoing ministry to survivors. This isn't a one-time project—it's the lifeblood of the work we do every single day to walk alongside women (and men - it's not only women that experience domestic abuse) as they move from crisis to courage, and from fear to freedom.

Visit our fundraising page to join our October campaign and/or set up a monthly donation!

We also invite you to set up your own crowdsourcing fundraiser that supports our cause. Simply click on the "I want to help fundraise" link to very simply set up your own individual fundraising page which you can share with your social network! All proceeds go directly to us to support our ministry!

Thank you for standing with FOCUS Ministries as we continue to shine Christ's light into places of deep hurt and walk with victims toward hope and freedom. Together, we can make sure that no one has to face this journey alone.

Give today. Be part of their healing.

Read more stories of survivors and messages of hope on our blog or visit our YouTube channel.