Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)

purple ribbon, domestic violence awareness month

October is Dating/Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)!

You can spread awareness by engaging with our 2025 event opportunities:

Gopher Green Flag Campaign

Stop by and share your green flags for a healthy relationship by writing them on a green flag and adding to our art installation, promoting healthy relationships during DVAM.

Wednesday, October 15
11am-3pm
East and West Washington Ave Bridgeheads

Healthy Relationships Workshop with HOPE (Homelessness Outreach, Prevention, and Education)

Learn more about healthy relationships with the student organization HOPE, all are welcome!

Monday, October 20
5-6pm
Bruininks 131A

Wear Purple Day

Wear purple to raise awareness and offer support to survivors of dating/domestic violence. Want to take your awareness to the next level? Tag @osa_umn on your Instagram stories to spread the purple across social media!

Thursday, October 23
All day!
Everywhere!

Empowerment Self-Defense Workshop

Learn self defense in a new and innovative way with a focus on self-care, self-empowerment, self-advocacy.

Tuesday, October 28
5-7:30pm
Dinkytown Off-Campus Safety Center
RSVP here: https://forms.gle/NbtgbpGtyoX3D1TB8

Say Boo to Domestic Violence

In the spirit of spooky season, grab some candy and food, and spread awareness and show support for survivors of dating/domestic violence in the lobby of Appleby Hall.

Thursday, October 30
10am-2pm
Appleby Hall Front Entrance

For more information on DVAM, feel free to email us at [email protected] or check out @osa_umn on Instagram.

We also encourage you to check out the following list of amazing resources and their efforts for DVAM:

History

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) evolved from the "Day of Unity" in October 1981 conceived by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The intent was to connect advocates across the nation who were working to end violence against women and their children. The Day of Unity soon became an entire week devoted to a range of activities conducted at the local, state, and national levels.

The activities conducted were as varied and diverse as the program sponsors but had common themes: mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, and connecting those who work to end violence. The Silent Witness Project is often observed during DVAM made up of painted red, life sized figures with shields that tell the story of individual women and others who died as a result of domestic violence in the previous year. The display is said to be viewed in at least 46 states on an annual basis.

In October 1987, the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was observed. That same year marks the initiation of the first national domestic violence toll-free hotline. In 1989 the U.S. Congress passed Public Law 101-112 designating October of that year as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Such legislation has passed every year since with NCADV providing key leadership in this effort. Each year, the Day of Unity is celebrated the first Monday of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.