Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in three women and one in four men experience some form of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetimes. In the United States, nearly 20 people per minute are abused by an intimate partner -- or more than 10 million victims and survivors per year.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate yourself and others about this important issue and show those who are affected by domestic violence that they are not alone. You can do this in any number of ways:

• Share the National Domestic Violence Hotline number: 800-799-7233.
• Take a domestic violence webinar.
• Learn how to be an ally.
• Become familiar with laws that protect survivors and hold offenders accountable.
• Spread the word via social media.
• Connect with Project SAGE. We are a community resource not only for victims and survivors of domestic violence but for anyone facing relationship challenges or hoping to help family members, friends, or others who are managing difficult relationship dynamics.

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Spotlight on Project SAGE

Annual Community Vigil and Take Back the Hike

Project SAGE sponsored two DVAM events this October: our annual Community Vigil, and an awareness-raising hike in conjunction with the Kent Land Trust.

On October 10, our annual Community Vigil paid tribute to the 21 victims of domestic violence in the state of Connecticut in 2022. The Vigil began at Community Field with a participatory artwork action by Red Sand Project, which seeks to raise awareness about human trafficking. Participants then made a candlelight Remembrance Walk to the Project SAGE office and a moment of silence was observed in recognition of the lives lost. This year, our annual Community Vigil was fortunate to be honored by Congresswoman Jahana Hayes with a Special Congressional Recognition. Project SAGE would like to thank Red Sand Project for their partnership, Freund's Farm Market for catering a lovely post-Vigil reception, and Congresswoman Hayes for her recognition and support.

On October 14, Project SAGE partnered with Kent Land Trust to hold Take Back the Hike, an inclusive 3-mile hike in the Skiff Mountain South / Harrison Preserve area to raise awareness about domestic violence. This beautiful trail partly borders Marvelwood School, so in addition to raising awareness, hikers were able to learn about some of the work that Marvelwood students do in conjunction with licensed ornithologists to study birds on Land Trust property. Project SAGE would like to thank the Kent Land Trust for their partnership and Representative Maria Horn for her ongoing support and joining us on the hike.

Project SAGE is hiring!

Join us in our mission to create social change to end interpersonal relationship violence.

We are adding new positions to our committed and creative team:



• Community Program Facilitator
• Director of Donor Engagement

Click on the link below to learn more about these exciting opportunities!

Upcoming Events

ARTICLE

This timely article dives into some of the most talked-about features of the latest Apple iOS update and discusses their implications for modern victims of domestic violence - with a focus on how to prevent harm and an emphasis on safety features. Read all about it here: Apple's Latest Update

ARTICLE

October 12 marked the 25th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man whose brutal murder set in motion a sea change in how homophobic violence was perceived in the U.S. But as activists warn, the political progress made in the wake of Shepard’s slaying is in danger. Read more here: Matthew Shepard’s Death Changed How We See Anti-LGBTQ+ Violence

WEBINAR

Presented in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, in this webinar panelists share their pathways for drawing from personal hardship and history to bring authenticity and hopefulness to their advocacy. The conversation includes real talk about healing-centered advocacy with survivors navigating systemic barriers related to mental health, substance use, housing, and legal concerns, as well as the power of peer support. Honoring Survivors and Advocates: Centering Life Experiences to Create Systemic Change

ARTICLE

Intimate partner homicides spiked by 22% in the five years from 2018 to 2022. An American now fatally shoots their spouse or dating partner every 12 hours. News of the rising violence, overwhelmingly directed at women, comes as the Supreme Court prepares to hear a closely watched case that will decide whether people subject to protective orders for domestic violence can retain their gun rights. Read more here: Domestic Violence Homicides Climb as Supreme Court Weighs Bombshell Case

ONLINE RESOURCE

A safety plan is a personalized stragegy that helps individuals in relationships characterized by coercive control and / or violence identify actions that might help reduce their risk of harm. This online resource walks people through creating their own personal safety plan and provides answers to frequently asked questions about safety planning: Safety Planning.

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