October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Each October, communities across the nation recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). It is a time dedicated to raising awareness about the realities of domestic violence, honoring the strength of survivors, remembering the lives lost, and recommitting ourselves to building safer, healthier communities.

For more than 45 years, the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence (CASFV) has stood alongside survivors in the El Paso region. Our mission has always been to provide hope, healing, and empowerment through emergency shelter, advocacy, counseling, education, and community outreach. This October, we continue that mission with a renewed focus on resilience and healing.

“You’re a Survivor” – A Message of Strength and Hope

The theme for this year’s DVAM is “You’re a Survivor.” These words are both a recognition and a call to action. They acknowledge the courage and strength it takes to live through abuse, while also affirming the dignity and potential that every survivor carries forward.

Surviving domestic violence is not only about enduring harm—it is about reclaiming power, healing from trauma, and moving toward a future filled with possibility. Too often, survivors are defined only by their experiences of abuse. This theme challenges that narrative by celebrating their resilience, amplifying their voices, and reminding our community that survivors are leaders, parents, neighbors, and friends.

Why Domestic Violence Awareness Month Matters

Domestic violence is not a private issue confined to the home. It is a public health and safety crisis that affects individuals, families, and entire communities. According to national data, one in three women and one in four men will experience domestic violence in their lifetimes. Children who witness abuse often carry the impacts into adulthood, continuing cycles of trauma.

In our own community, the need for support is constant. Every day, CASFV responds to calls for help through our 24/7 crisis hotline, provides safe shelter to families fleeing abuse, and offers counseling, legal advocacy, and long-term support to those rebuilding their lives. Domestic Violence Awareness Month allows us to shine a light on these realities and remind survivors that help is available, healing is possible, and they are not alone. ### How the Community Can Participate

Throughout October, CASFV invites the community to join us in raising awareness and showing support for survivors.

Wear Purple: Wearing purple is a visible way to stand in solidarity with survivors.

• Go Purple Day: On October 23rd, community members, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to wear purple, share photos, and spark conversations about domestic violence.
• Spread the Word: Share information and resources with friends, family, and colleagues to break the silence and stigma surrounding abuse.
• Engage in Education: Take time to learn about the signs of abuse, healthy relationships, and available resources.
• Support Survivors Year-Round: Whether through volunteering, donating, or advocating, every effort contributes to a safer community.

A Community Commitment

DVAM is more than a symbolic observance. It is a call for action and a reminder of our collective responsibility to prevent abuse, support survivors, and build a culture where violence has no place. Survivors deserve to be believed, respected, and supported in their journey to safety and healing.

As we recognize DVAM, CASFV reaffirms its pledge to serve survivors with compassion and dedication. We invite the community to join us in spreading awareness, uplifting survivor voices, and ensuring that every individual has the opportunity to live free from violence.

You Are Not Alone

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, CASFV is here to help. Our crisis hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and our team provides emergency shelter, advocacy, and support services to anyone in need.

Hotline: 915.593.7300

To every survivor: You are seen. You are valued. You are not alone. You are a survivor.