With Survivors, Always: Taking Action for Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2026
By Maddi Ring, Sexual Violence Services Specialist
Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2026 is an opportunity to build on the momentum of the theme initiated in 2025 – “With Survivors, Always.” Going beyond standing in solidarity with survivors, this year we can focus on taking action to support survivor safety. You may be wondering how you can help. The good news is that there are many ways that community members can take action to support survivor safety.
- Raise awareness about the prevalence and effects of domestic violence.
- A 2024 national survey found that approximately 6.7 million women and 2.8 million men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking from an intimate partner in the U.S in the prior year.
- According to the survey, more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men in the U.S. experience contact sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime.
- According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, children exposed to domestic violence can experience distress resulting in significant trauma effects. Children with a safe environment and support can recover from these impacts.
- Educate community members on types of abuse and how to recognize when someone is using or experiencing abuse.
- Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior that an individual uses against a current or previous partner to gain or maintain control or power. Abuse can take many forms:
- Emotional abuse: name-calling, humiliation, constant criticism, possessiveness.
- Isolation: limiting or cutting off relationships with family, friends and social networks.
- Financial abuse: restricting access to money, sabotaging work or preventing financial independence.
- Sexual abuse: any sexual behavior engaged in without consent.
- Reproductive coercion: controlling contraception or pregnancy decisions.
- Technology-facilitated abuse: monitoring or controlling a partner through devices or online platforms.
- Physical abuse: punching, slapping, strangling, using weapons, throwing objects.
- Learn how to support someone experiencing abuse.
- Listen to and respect their choices.
- Ask how you can help in an open and non-judgmental way.
- Avoid suggesting they leave their partner, criticizing their choices or confronting the abusive partner as these actions can increase risk and discourage them from reaching out for support in the future.
- Offer to research domestic violence-specific support in their area. Violence Free Colorado offers a survivor resources webpage to help people find local resources.
- Offer safe technology access. Many survivors can’t safely use cell phones or computers because their partner is monitoring them. Providing a safe device can help them connect to resources.
- Provide safe storage of important items. Offer to gradually store clothes, money and important documents. Leaving suddenly can be the most dangerous time for survivors.
- Be a safe place in an emergency. Survivors may need temporary shelter, transportation or childcare.
- Donate to, or volunteer for, your local domestic violence services organization. Community members can find their local domestic violence services organization on the Violence Free Colorado survivor resources webpage.
Taking these action steps can help reduce the isolation and shame of domestic violence and increase the availability of services in our communities. This builds increased safety and stability for survivors and their children. This month, and beyond, we stand in solidarity with survivors and their right to safety and support.
