As I wander through the streets of my hometown, I’m overwhelmed by the prominence of one color - pink. Pink is everywhere. I love that local businesses have decided to proudly display their support for the women and men battling breast cancer, as well as remembering those who lost their courageous fight. I am, however, slightly disappointed that we aren’t painting our streets purple at the same time. Why, you ask? Simple. October is also the month in which we should also be supporting Domestic Violence Awareness.
Did you know?
- One in every four women will experience a domestic violence situation, while only one in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer.
- One in every three women who is a victim of a homicide was killed by her partner.
- Every NINE SECONDS a woman is battered in the United States. N I N E.
So why is it that we are enthusiastic to educate people about the statistics of breast cancer and encourage mammograms but shy away from educating our family and friends, specifically the women who are most at risk, about domestic violence?
While most states have multiple cancer treatment centers to treat dozens of types of cancers, some states have as few as 10 shelters dedicated to domestic violence victims. In states where the population exceeds millions of people. In states where one in three women will die from a domestic violence situation, there are minimal shelters. Even when there are shelters in place, it's far from enough. A majority of the shelters that are open are run by non-profit organizations- meaning they most likely do not receive state funding to help with operational costs. The shelters that are on their own for funding are sometimes fully reliant on the public’s help to get the necessities to those who need it most. Some shelters have to turn to rejecting women’s requests to seek shelter because of budget cuts or lack of funding.
When I was a senior in high school, I was in a relationship that was unhealthy. I knew it, but was too “in love” to do make a change. While I wasn’t covering bruises or trying to explain why I had injuries, I was injured on the inside. The verbal attacks and constant hurt that I endured from my relationship was breaking me down bit by bit. I was blinded by the (few and far between) romantic gestures that my boyfriend would do, so I assumed that his criticisms of how I looked, or even my Facebook profile picture not being “pretty enough” was just tough love. Tough love. Pretty tough, but no actual love at all. After a few months, and several public embarrassments later, I finally saw the light. But I was lucky. I got out before anything else could have happened to me. I knew from that point on, that I would never let it happen to me again.
Each year, almost $6 billion dollars is committed from different organizations to help fund Breast Cancer research. Thousands of businesses will give part of their profits to organizations such as Susan G Komen, in hopes that they can help aid research and families fighting the good and noble fight. I’m even asked at the end of my purchase at Walgreen’s if I would like to donate money to Susan G Komen during the month of October. Why are more businesses not offering to donate part of their proceeds to a domestic violence awareness foundation such as the One Love Foundation or the Alpha Chi Omega/Mary Kay Partnership? Why are we so afraid to help these organizations who so desperately need it and raise funds to get them where they need to be? Why are we so quick to raise concern and throw shade to the Ray Rice situation and belittle the women who stay in these violent situations instead of asking what sort of help can be done to BETTER these women’s lives and CHANGE what can happen in the future?
For the remainder of the month of October, I challenge each and every one of you to do something that will positively impact the lives of domestic violence victims and survivors. Use the hashtag #IAmHelpingBecause and spread the positivity in your community. You can even tag @ModernMagnolias on Twitter or Instagram and we will share with our followers what you are doing!
If you aren’t sure what you can do in your community, but you want to help, I am currently taking donations for our local shelters in my hometown of Greenville, SC. You can email me at english.anna@gmail.com if you’d like more information on what you can do!
Remember, paint your town pink AND purple this October!!!
www.notalone.gov
