Aloha to DVAM 2013!

October 1, 2013

It’s that time of year again: time to say aloha (as in good-bye) to September and aloha (as in hello) to October, also known as DVAM or Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Initiated in October 1981, DVAM actually originated from the Day of Unity sponsored by the NCADV (the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence) http://www.ncadv.org/. The intent of the Day was to connect advocates from around the country who were working to end men’s violence against women and children. The Day was so successful that the Day of Unity turned into a week of unity where anti-abuse activities were held at the local, state and national levels.

At first the anti-abuse activities revolved around the theme of mourning those who died as a result of domestic violence and celebrating those who survived it. In October 1987 the weeklong activities turned into a month, thus creating the first Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Day of Unity – that started it all – didn’t completely disappear; it’s actually still recognized on the first Monday of October.

One DVAM “tradition” started in October 1994, was the Remember My Name project http://www.ncadv.org/programs/RememberMyNameProject.php – a collaboration between the NCADV and Ms. Magazine http://msmagazine.com/. Each year the NCADV releases a poster in October that names every victim killed by domestic violence in the previous year. The posters can be seen (and purchased) at the NCADV website and sadly the names on the posters are written so small because the list (each year) is that big.

Although DVAM is nationally recognized, each state now holds DV awareness events throughout the month of October to call the public’s attention to the issue of men’s violence against women and Hawaii is no exception. As a matter of fact, this year’s DVAM is jam-packed with activities starting today, October 1st where military outreach will be providing resource tables and Hopeline http://news.verizonwireless.com/pdf/HopeLine_Press_Kit.pdf collection boxes at various public locations so be sure to look for them!

On Thursday, October 3rd gentlemen and gentle men will meet at the State Capitol Rotunda at 11:30am to do a Men’s March Against Violence that’ll end at Skygate Park. PURPLE is the color that represents domestic violence so put on some purple and either join or cheer on our awesome men as they call attention to a scourge that is ruining lives, families, childhoods, our economy and filling up our jails, courtrooms, shelters and morgues.

Here’s what else Hawaii has lined up for DVAM:

October 4th

P.A.C.T. presents “Paint the Town Purple” - wear purple all day to raise awareness about Domestic Violence
7:30AM - Hickam’s 5K Fun Run starting at the Hickam AFB Officer's Club (Military I.D. required)
5:00 to 6:00PM - The Consortium for Health Safety and Support (CHSS) presents: “kNOw MORE” Zumba at Hui Hana Pono featuring DVAC's "Photo Voice" - photographs and narratives from Kamehameha Kapālama H.S.students. Be sure to wear your best and brightest purple!

October 5th

6:00PM - CHSS “kNOw MORE” presents a Candlelight Vigil in Wai'anae at Hui Hana Pono

October 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th

7:00 to 9:30PM - The Men’s Circle hosts a movie and discussion at Big Mama’s house in Mākaha. Call Hyimeen at 699-1008 for more info

October 8th

11:00AM to 1:00PM - A Religious Homophobia & Child Abuse forum discussing the effect homophobia has on LGBT youth will be held at St. Andrews Cathedral, Davies Hall
5:30 to 6:30PM - The UHM Richardson School of Law will be talking about the “Nuts and Bolts of Obtaining a Restraining Order in Family Court" in Room 1

October 9th

1:00PM - DVAC’s Teen Alert Program presents “Dating Violence Prevention & Healthy Relationship” training at Leeward Community College. The three part training will be held on October 9th, 16th and 23rd
5:30 to 8:30PM - The Hickam Military and Family Support Center presents “Scream Free” Marriage classes (Military ID required)

October 11th

12:00 to 3:00PM - The Model Minority Fashion Expo (MMFE) will host an outreach and info event at the State Capitol Rotunda. (Agencies are encouraged to distribute brochures) Contact: shana@modelminorityfashionexpo.com for tabling & info

October 12th

9:00AM – The March for Healthy Relationships starting at Hui Hana Pono in Wai’anae - be sure to wear your purple!

October 16th

DVAC’s “Photo Voice” Photography Exhibit to be displayed at the Waimānalo Health Center’s Women’s Health Fair

October 17th and 24th

9:00AM to 12:00PM - The YWCA presents a two-day financial literacy training for DV survivors at the PACT Family Peace Center. Call 695-2603 to reserve a seat or email kcoleman@ywcaoahu.org

October 18th

11:00AM to 3:00PM – The MMFE’s “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” Fundraiser featuring Royal Hawaiian Band at the State Capitol to raise awareness about sexual assault & DV

October 21st

1:30PM – The Army Victim Advocacy Program presents the documentary “No Way Out But One” (see attached video for movie trailer) at the SGT Smith Theater on Schofield. Call 624-7233 for more info (Military ID required)

October 21st – 25th

The Waipahu H.S. Safety Club will present a week of events to raise awareness about DV for students and the community

October 22nd

6:00 to 8:00PM – The MMFE hosts a screening of the documentary “Through Her Eyes” at Mission Memorial Auditorium with speakers promoting self-improvement, professional development and fashion design.
6:00 to 8:00PM - TJ Mahoney Ho`ohuli Kou Kaua Ola (Transforming Our Lives) hosts a Talk Story event at the Arts at Mark’s Garage. Lecture and two short films presented by Ka Hale Ho‘āla Hou No Nā Wāhine, an empowerment program for women transitioning out of prison

October 24th

DV Roundtable at UH Manoa with Jenn Rose focusing on violence against women on college campuses and the new provisions of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). For more info: geneq@hawaii.edu

October 25th

6:00PM - Hawai‘i Women in Filmmaking and Women for Genuine Security present the film "Living Along the Fenceline" at the Arts at Marks Garage. The movie critiques how military culture and ideology constructs militarized masculine identities and how this impacts the safety of women and girls

October 28th – 30th

8:00AM to 5:00PM – The CHSS Church Hui presents the “Changing Men, Changing Lives” conference at New Hope Leeward. Faith-based community, pastors and pastoral counselors are invited to address DV in the church community. Featuring special guest, Ty Schoyer (from the Duluth DV Intervention Project). To register, visit: www.newhopeleeward.org/changingmen

Don’t forget to check out some of the other national awareness campaigns like the celebrity-endorsed NO MORE campaign http://nomore.org/ or the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence’s DV Awareness Project http://www.nrcdv.org/dvam/ or the National DV Hotline’s “How I See DV” initiative http://www.thehotline.org/how-i-see-dv/.

Looking to get your purple on or want to get a jump-start on holiday shopping? If so, make your money do more by purchasing from places that will give back as well as give you what you’re looking for. Some companies sponsor and contribute to anti-abuse efforts as well as create unique products so be sure to help those who are trying to help others like the ones featured here:

And this just happens to be my favorite: FINALLY, a purple credit card! http://www.cardpartner.com/affinity/app/ncadv

Domestic Violence is a serious health, familial and social issue worth calling attention to: the statistic remains that one in four women will become a victim of domestic violence sometime during her life whereas one in eight women will become a victim of breast cancer, the issue that shares October as its awareness month.

If you want to show your support for DVAM but can’t fit any of the activities into your schedule, participating is as easy as tying on a purple ribbon http://www.pinmart.com/domestic-violence-awareness.aspx and when someone asks you what it’s for, tell them what you know! (A virtual ribbon'll work too - I especially like this one - it's called a Twibbon: http://twibbon.com/Support/Domestic-Violence-Awareness-2#) Share what you know about DV because it could very well save someone’s life and remember, if you see something SAY something – break the silence that allows domestic violence!