Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) was launched nationwide in October 1981 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues while raising awareness for those issues.

In 2022, HSCADV partnered with the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System to promote the year’s theme, #Every1KnowsSome1. Each library in the state showcased books that address domestic violence.

Library resources are available here and you can use these Zoom backgrounds to continue spreading the conversation on domestic violence awareness.

Dozens of advocates, government officials, and community members joined us at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol on Friday, October 20, 2023 for DVAM sign waving to show that we will not stay silent about domestic violence!  Governor Green and Lt. Governor Luke signed the State DVAM Proclamation and joined us during the sign waving.

KHON2 News was able to capture the proclamation ceremony and sign waving event.  Check out the video!

Mahalo to Governor Green, Lt. Governor Luke, and their executive teams for coordinating the proclamation ceremony with us, and mahalo to everyone for joining us!

Men’s March Against Violence
Date: Thursday, October 5 at 11:30am
Location: ʻIolani Palace (Honolulu, Oʻahu)
The Men’s March Against Violence is an annual event to engage men as allies in standing together against domestic violence.  Gathering will start at 11:30am, followed by the march at 12:00pm, then the rally at 12:45pm.

Webinar: Dynamics of Domestic Violence
Date: Friday, October 6 at 8:30am
Location: Zoom
Register here.
Hosted by the Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, the webinar will feature HSCADV’s Executive Director, Angelina Mercado, for welcoming remarks.  After completing the training, attendees will be able to: 1) describe the dynamics of domestic violence; 2) understand the impact of domestic violence on survivors, families, and communities; 3) respond to disclosures of domestic violence; and 4) identify appropriate referrals for a survivor of domestic violence.

West Hawaiʻi Domestic Violence Vigil
Date: Friday, October 6 at 4:30pm
Location: St. Michael the Archangel Church (75-5769 Aliʻi Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740)
Hosted by the Family Violence Interagency Committee of West Hawaiʻi, sign waving will start at 4:30pm along Aliʻi Drive, followed by the vigil at 5:00pm at Church Hall.

Webinar: Preventing Gender-Based and Intimate Partner Violence
Date: Thursday, October 12 at 8:00am
Location: Zoom
Register here.
Hosted by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)’s Office of Women’s Health, the webinar will discuss programs that address gender-based violence and intimate partner violence.

Aloha Tower Lights Up Purple
Dates: October 15 – 21
Location: Aloha Tower (Honolulu, Oʻahu)
Pass by Aloha Tower between October 15-21 from sunset to sunrise to see it light up in purple in honor of DVAM!

UH Mānoa DVAM Resource Fair
Date: Tuesday, October 17 from 10:00am – 1:00pm
Location: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Campus Center Courtyard (Honolulu, Oʻahu)
Hosted by UH Mānoa’s PAU Violence program, the resource fair will host various UH and community programs in spreading awareness and resources on domestic violence.  The theme this year is Health Equity Matters: Making Connections Through Experience.

Leeward Community College DVAM Resource Fair
Date: Thursday, October 19 from 11:00am – 1:30pm
Location: Leeward Community College, Waiʻanae Moku Common Area (Waiʻanae, Oʻahu)
Hosted by Leeward Community College, the resource fair will host various programs in spreading awareness and resources on domestic violence.  The theme this year is Scaring is Not Caring.

YWCA Kauaʻi Annual Candlelight Vigil
Date: Thursday, October 19 from 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Location: St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church (Līhuʻe, Kauaʻi)
Hosted by YWCA Kauaʻi, sharing survivor stories and candlelight ceremony will honor victims of domestic violence in Hawaiʻi.

Webinar: Serving Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
Date: Friday, October 20 at 8:30am
Location: Zoom
Register here.
Hosted by the Hawaiʻi Public Health Institute, the webinar calls on all forms of disciplines to heal our children, family, and community collectively and collaboratively by understanding how domestic violence affects our keiki.  At the end of the training, attendees will be able to: 1) walk in the shoes of children exposed to domestic violence; 2) be aware of the adverse childhood experience (ACE) checklist; 3) accept that domestic violence is a community and public health problem; 4) incorporate trauma-informed care into your relationship with children/families and agency; and 5) be the light of hope to our keiki.

Waipahu High School Sign Waving
Date: Friday, October 20 at 7:00am
Location: Waipahu High School (Waipahu, Oʻahu)

HSCADV DVAM Sign Waving
Date: Friday, October 20 from 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Location: Hawaiʻi State Capitol (Honolulu, Oʻahu)
Hosted by the Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, please join us for sign waving along South Beretania Street.  Wear purple and bring a sign to increase awareness of domestic violence!

Honolulu Hale Lights Up Purple
Dates: October 22 – 28
Location: Honolulu Hale (Honolulu, Oʻahu)
Pass by Honolulu Hale between October 22-28 from sunset to sunrise to see it light up in purple in honor of DVAM!

Waiʻanae Neighborhood Place DVAM Sign Waving
Date: Sunday, October 22 at 5:00pm
Location: ʻOhana Kākoʻo Resource Center, across from Waiʻanae Store (Waiʻanae, Oʻahu)
Hosted by the Waiʻanae Neighborhood Place, sign waving will start at 5:00pm, followed by a candlelight vigil at 6:00pm.

IBM Building Lights Up Purple
Dates: October 23 – 30
Location: IBM Building (Honolulu, Oʻahu)
Pass by the IBM Building at Ward between October 23-30 from sunset to sunrise to see it light up in purple in honor of DVAM!

Webinar: After the Fire: Disasters’ Impact on Families Dealing with Domestic Violence
Date: Wednesday, October 25 at 3:00pm
Location: Zoom
Register here.
Hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi system, the webinar features HSCADV’s COVID-19 Response Coordinator, ʻAlani Bagcal, in a discussion on how disasters, both natural and manmade, impact our ʻohana dealing with domestic violence so that we can better help our community heal.

Be a Torch for Change Gala
Date: Friday, October 27 from 5:30pm – 10:00pm
Location: Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Monarch Ballroom (Honolulu, Oʻahu)
Hosted by the Domestic Violence Action Center.

Waiʻanae Neighborhood Place DVAM Sign Waving
Date: Tuesday, October 31 at 9:00am
Location: ʻOhana Kākoʻo Resource Center, across from Waiʻanae Store (Waiʻanae, Oʻahu)
Hosted by the Waiʻanae Neighborhood Place.