National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity, celebrated over 30 years ago.  In October 1981, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence observed the first Day of Unity to unite advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and children.  The Day of Unity soon stretched to a week-long occasion recognized by a variety of activities and events occurring at the local, state, and national levels.  The violence against women movement observed its first Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October 1987.  In 1989, Congress officially dedicated October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and has passed legislation doing so every year thereafter.  Although Domestic Violence Awareness Month has become the more celebrated national observance, we still celebrate the Day of Unity on the first Monday of each October.

To learn more about National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, visit the Domestic Violence Awareness Project.  The Domestic Violence Awareness Project is a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence.